Human Resources Committee on April 23rd, 2018

[Scott Brison, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

I've seen come comparators and it depends on the company. Certainly larger companies—

[Rosemarie Falk, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

For sure, I guess I'm thinking of—

[Scott Brison, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

—would have more provisions for this than, for instance, a small business and that kind of thing. It's difficult. You understand, I'm not being evasive.

[Rosemarie Falk, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

For sure. That's okay.

To amend the program, what is that going to consist of? What is the plan going to achieve by amending that program?

[Scott Brison, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

The way we go about it is really important. A private sector company would work with the unions representing their employees, and changes would be negotiated as part of the sick leave regime. But what modern workplaces elsewhere have done is they've moved from the notion of a sick leave regime to a wellness regime. That is where I want to see us take this—from treating people when they're sick to actually creating an environment within which we help them stay well in the first place.

I'll give you an example. Right now in terms of mental health, it is difficult for managers within the public service to be experts in all areas of mental health, so there is an argument for.... One one of the things we want to do is to use some of expertise within Health Canada on that. As we build our public service centre for diversity, inclusion and wellness, we want to strengthen the understanding within government, as an employer, of mental health issues so we can help people deal with those issues. We want people to stay healthy as opposed to our just dealing with them when they are debilitated by these things. So we want to focus increasingly on wellness and not just on sickness.

[Rosemarie Falk, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

Has the Treasury Board conducted any consultations?

[Scott Brison, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

We've actually worked quite extensively with the public sector unions and through the joint council. We're also looking at other progressive workplaces.

[Rosemarie Falk, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

It's just the unions?

[Scott Brison, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

There's a report on the mental health side that I would recommend to you. The report was tabled in 2016, I believe.

I may ask, if you will, if Sandra has something to add to this, because she's been part of the frontline in those discussions.

[Sandra Hassan]

In that regard, in the collective-agreement negotiations we've signed agreements with all of the bargaining agents and there are committees that have been created to look into the issue of potentially having a new regime. You were asking about consultation, and there is a forum where we have discussions with those representatives and are listening to their concerns and preoccupations in developing—

[Rosemarie Falk, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

What's that going to cost to implement?

We don't have a lot of public servants in my riding. How is this going to affect the people of my riding, and how much more are they ultimately going to pay to implement this?

[Sandra Hassan]

The cost will depend on the nature and scope of the regime that the parties eventually negotiate and come down to. It's impossible at this time to give you the cost. It will depend on the outcome of the negotiations.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

Thank you.

[Scott Brison, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

Looking at the broader context, we negotiate with the public service unions. This is not new. It's always been at the bargaining table that we have those discussions.

I can tell you that we will negotiate something that is fair and responsible fiscally as well as something that is modern and progressive for public servants. We will balance those two, and we will get it right.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

Thank you very much.

For the final three minutes of this round, we have MP Trudel.

[Karine Trudel, NDP, Jonquière, QC]

I am going to ask you about Bill C-62; that is why I am here today.

Could you tell me more about your negotiations on sick leave?

The current collective agreements provide for a set amount of sick leave. Does Bill C-62 provide for a set amount of sick leave or will that be negotiated with a bargaining agent, agreement by agreement? I ask the question because I have seen no figures on the subject.

[Scott Brison, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

I am going to ask Mrs. Hassan to answer that for you.

[Sandra Hassan]

In its current version, all Bill C-62does is repeal the provisions in a previous bill that established the possibility of imposing a new sick leave system. The only thing in Bill C-62 is that the legislative measures that had been adopted are repealed.

As to whether there will be a set amount of sick leave and what the nature of the new system will be, that is all subject to negotiation. Nothing has been established in advance. It really is part of the discussions that we are having with the bargaining agents. It is really important for them to have dialogue and discussions on absolutely all the aspects.

[Karine Trudel, NDP, Jonquière, QC]

So that leaves the door open to sick leave, if they are already established in the collective agreements. That will not change.

[Sandra Hassan]

The previous bill established the possibility of eliminating banked sick leave. If we repeal those provisions, that banked sick leave is maintained.

In terms of knowing what will become of that banked leave if a new system is put in place, once again, that will be part of the discussions with the bargaining agents.

[Karine Trudel, NDP, Jonquière, QC]

Thank you very much, Mrs. Hassan.

[Sandra Hassan]

Not at all.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

Thank you very much.

That concludes the first two rounds today.

Mr. Brison, I understand that we are losing you at this point. I want to thank you for being here today and answering these questions. We look forward to continuing to study this legislation.

We are going to continue with questions for the officials.

Just as a reminder, we have about five or 10 minutes' worth of committee business at the end that we have to do.

Yes, Mr. Brison.

[Scott Brison, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

As we wrap up, I just want to thank the committee for its work on this.

Mr. Warawa made some comments about how long I've been hanging out here. It will have been about 21 years by June. Most of that time, about 16 years, was spent in opposition. I have great respect for the work that committee members of all parties do toward legislation and debate. Committees are really important. It's a pleasure to be here.

It's been 21 years. A number of those were served alongside Rodger Cuzner, so they've been particularly tough.

You have a really good committee here. You're doing good work. I enjoy the cut and thrust of committees very much. I have great respect for the work of all members of Parliament from all parties.

Thank you for the privilege of being here.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

Thank you very much. We will be back after a short break.