Evidence of meeting #101 for Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was essential.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:30 p.m.
Conservative
4:30 p.m.
Acting Director, Corporate Labour Relations, Correctional Service of Canada
That's right.
4:30 p.m.
Acting Director, Corporate Labour Relations, Correctional Service of Canada
I'm not sure of exactly the numbers. We can give that to you, certainly.
4:30 p.m.
Acting Director, Corporate Labour Relations, Correctional Service of Canada
In terms of essential services, the work that's done within the institutions and within our community offices is certainly work that would be deemed essential for the safety and security of the public.
You asked a question around what types of jobs or duties wouldn't be considered essential, potentially. There are a number of positions within national or regional headquarters that support programs, for instance. There may be some positions related to internal services positions. I can think of a few within human resources, perhaps, such as training, learning, and development positions. The kinds of positions where there's no direct or indirect impact to the provision of essential services within our institutions and our communities would be the types of positions that may not provide essential-type work.
4:30 p.m.
Liberal
Mona Fortier Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
I have one question, then I will give the rest of my speaking time to Mr. Morrissey.
Mr. Thibodeau, can you quickly describe the current state of the work relations in your sector of the public service?
4:30 p.m.
Director General, Labour Relations and Compensation, Canada Border Services Agency
Thank you for your question.
The Canada Border Services Agency just concluded an agreement in principle with our employees' main bargaining agent. So the climate is perhaps better now than it was a few weeks ago.
4:30 p.m.
Liberal
4:35 p.m.
Ann Marie Hume Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Human Resources Branch, Canada Revenue Agency
With the Canada Revenue Agency, like my colleague, we recently concluded an agreement with the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, and we not too long ago concluded an agreement with the Union of Taxation Employees as well.
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
Mona Fortier Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
Thank you.
Actually, I would like all of you to answer this question.
4:35 p.m.
Acting Director, Corporate Labour Relations, Correctional Service of Canada
Similar to my colleagues here, we recently concluded a collective agreement with the correctional officers, and as well, therefore, the others that Treasury Board is the employer for.
4:35 p.m.
Director General, Collection and Regional Services Branch, Census, Operations and Informatics Field, Statistics Canada
We're in the middle of collective bargaining for the statistical survey operations. There are two bargaining tables. I would say that it's going very well right now—very collaborative.
4:35 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Compensation and Labour Relations Sector, Treasury Board Secretariat
In the core public administration, 23 of the 27 groups have agreements, whether signed or in principle.
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
Bobby Morrissey Liberal Egmont, PE
Thank you.
I'd like to understand a bit more about the amendment that was suggested by PSAC during their testimony last week. The President of the Treasury Board said last Monday that this bill is about “restoring the balance” to the labour relations regime that existed before the former Conservative government changed the law in 2013. Just to confirm, that is what Bill C-62 does, correct? It restores the labour relations regime that was in place before 2013. Am I correct?
4:35 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Compensation and Labour Relations Sector, Treasury Board Secretariat
That is correct.
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
Bobby Morrissey Liberal Egmont, PE
Thank you.
The amendment that was mentioned by PSAC would remove a clause that was a part of the labour relations regime. Was that clause ever subject to a court challenge during the decade prior to the former government's changes?
4:35 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Compensation and Labour Relations Sector, Treasury Board Secretariat
To our knowledge, that was not subject to a court challenge.
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
Bobby Morrissey Liberal Egmont, PE
Okay. I just want to go back to see if you can get a clarification. I don't expect that you would have that information here.
Could you also report back on the difference in the accounting entry and the actual cash cost to the government from people taking sick leave?
4:35 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Compensation and Labour Relations Sector, Treasury Board Secretariat
We are checking with our colleagues, and as soon as I get the answer I will answer that question.
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
Bobby Morrissey Liberal Egmont, PE
If you could provide it to the committee, I would appreciate it: the difference in the actual cash cost to the treasury versus an accounting entry.
4:35 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Compensation and Labour Relations Sector, Treasury Board Secretariat
We will look into that. Ideally, if we could get back to you before the end of this meeting, that would be our preference.
