Procedure and House Affairs Committee on April 28th, 2022

[Sherry Romanado, Liberal, Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne, QC]

Thank you very much.

I know I don't have very much time; I just have one question. This may sound like a bizarre question.

I've noticed over the last couple of years since we've moved from Centre Block to West Block that there is no canopy or overhang over the entrance doors that we go through when we're coming across Wellington to West Block.

I witnessed a chunk of ice and snow almost hit a Parliamentary Protective Service member, let alone members of Parliament or staff who are walking in. Is there a plan in the mains to address that? I am quite concerned. They have no protection from the elements or from falling snow or ice from the roof of West Block.

Thank you.

[Chris d'Entremont]

I think Mr. Patrice would take that.

[Michel Patrice, Deputy Clerk, Administration, House of Commons]

Yes, thank you for that information, first of all.

We're going to have a discussion with Public Works. Public Works basically owns the building and does improvements of that nature. There's been discussion about a kind of cover of the entrance of the West Block. As you can often see, the maintenance of the building, snow removal and so on is done regularly by Public Works contractors.

[Sherry Romanado, Liberal, Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne, QC]

Thank you very much.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bardish Chagger]

Thank you.

Ms. Gaudreau, you have the floor for six minutes.

[Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, Bloc, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

First of all, I want to thank my colleagues, because they have answered some of my questions, and our time is precious.

I'm going to continue in the same vein. I am very happy to participate in this meeting. This is the first time I can imagine what Quebeckers and Canadians would like to say to you. So I would like to thank you and congratulate you on your excellent work.

Of course, I have a special message for interpreters, since I think they have had a hard time. I have been in office since 2019, so I can still say that I am a new parliamentarian. But I did not expect to experience problems with technology. Furthermore, I have found interpreters to be a valuable resource. Sometimes we can be a bit of a pain in the neck with our French, but it's our job, and we're very proud of these services.

People have heard a lot about the health and safety of interpreters. Yes, there has been an increase in the budget for tools, and we have just recently received some tools.

We probably won't know until the parliamentary break whether we will be working in hybrid mode and using technological tools. Have you budgeted for the amounts needed to make sure that everyone has good equipment and that the interpreters are treated well? I think interpreters have had health problems, and that is what we want to avoid. Do you have a prevention perspective for our esteemed interpreters?

[Charles Robert]

We have already put measures in place to ensure the safety of interpreters, and especially their health. We are constantly making improvements to the equipment because, as you know, we have received complaints about the technology and the sound. This is one of our concerns. I know very well that the technology and digital services have taken steps to ensure that the equipment used by the interpreters is the best it can be.

[Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, Bloc, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

I extend my greetings to the 60 interpreters. I know there are four new ones who have just arrived. I hope you don't have any concerns, because resources are scarce.

I looked at the expenditure budget in more detail, and I have a question about the Parliamentary Protective Service heading. It talks about the acquisition of machinery and equipment. I understand that it was necessary to acquire technological equipment. However, there has been a significant increase in just two years.

Can you give us some further explanations on that? Do we need to modernize the fleet?

[Chris d'Entremont]

Mr. Savard, you have the floor.

[Éric Savard]

Thank you for your question, Ms. Gaudreau.

Indeed, the vehicle fleet is one of the items where there have been increases. There are all sorts of protective equipment that we use as well. Some investments have been made to equip our people with the tools they need to do their job. Also, we've made some leasehold improvements in some of our work spaces. All of these factors have resulted in these recent increases.

[Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, Bloc, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

I would like to have your opinion on the evaluation that will take place over the next few weeks of security on Parliament Hill and in the Parliamentary Precinct.

We are very concerned about the scarcity of labour and the modulations of security. How do you see that? Obviously, we will have the opportunity to talk to you for advice, but I think it would be interesting to tell people how concerned you are about it and how you are preparing for it.

[Chris d'Entremont]

Mr. Brookson, you have the floor.

[Larry Brookson]

The investments that we've asked for in the main estimates, again, were pre-occupation. For the question of what we are going to be putting in place moving forward for the immediate...those are discussions that still need to take place as to what level of investment we're going to need to put that into the service, particularly when we're talking about what the precinct is going to look like moving forward.

I apologize for not having been able to answer you in French.

[Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, Bloc, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

Your French is excellent, Mr. Brookson.

[Larry Brookson]

Thank you.

I'm not very confident, but I keep trying—

[Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, Bloc, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

It's the same for me in English, but I'm working on it.

[Larry Brookson]

Thank you.

[Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, Bloc, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

The important thing is that we manage to understand each other well. By the way, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the interpreters once again.

I want to talk about the electronic aspect.

As we have seen, there has been a significant change in terms of what is being done to the Centre Block. Is there going to be a significant increase in the budget, given the new technologies and the subsequent need for equipment or other things?

What is the situation there?

[Chris d'Entremont]

Mr. Patrice, would you like to answer this question?

[Michel Patrice]

Thank you for your question.

Actually, when it comes to technology investments, both in terms of the replacement cycle and the addition of new technologies, the necessary funds are provided for in the budget. This ensures that members, their staff and the House Administration have the resources, equipment and tools to do their jobs.

[Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, Bloc, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

Thank you.

I have no further questions.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bardish Chagger]

Thank you, Ms. Gaudreau.

Ms. Blaney, you have the floor for six minutes.

[Rachel Blaney, NDP, North Island—Powell River, BC]

Thank you, Chair. I thank all of our witnesses for being here today. I know that the last several months have been incredibly taxing on everyone, and I want to recognize all the hard work that you provided to us during that time.

The first question I want to ask is around committees. We know that this is an ongoing challenge for sure. I know it's not easy for me to tell some of my members that we're going to have to cancel our committee to accommodate another.

I'm wondering if we could get a little clarity about where the gap is. Is it in technology? Is it in technology and interpretation, or is it simply in the role of the interpreters who serve us?

[Charles Robert]

There are always going to be capacity limits depending on how far you stretch it. In the current environment in which we are working, it is largely the factor of interpretation and its ability to serve, given the limited number of qualified interpreters who can perform the job.

[Rachel Blaney, NDP, North Island—Powell River, BC]

Okay.

I know that the interpreters have had a very hard time in the last few years. We know that injuries have increased dramatically. People have not had the proper technology. It's been a challenge trying to get the best technology.

My next question is if there is a need for better investment in tools that will support our interpreters so that they have fewer injuries. I'm not the expert, of course. The other part of the question is this. Is part of our challenge based around the fact that we do have interpreters who are having to take time off because of their injuries?