Human Resources Committee on April 23rd, 2018

[Sandra Hassan]

The Minister advised the bargaining agents that they could be flexible. That was communicated to them in writing at the beginning of the current government’s mandate. Some people were able to take advantage of the spirit of the legislation as amended.

[Karine Trudel, NDP, Jonquière, QC]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

MP Morrissey.

[Bobby Morrissey, Liberal, Egmont, PE]

Thank you, Chair.

I would like to go back to Ms. Hassan.

Could you elaborate a bit more on the technical aspects of Bill C-62 as they relate to the provisions that would change the treatment of accumulated sick leave?

[Sandra Hassan]

Yes. The bill proposes to repeal the provisions of former legislation—

[Bobby Morrissey, Liberal, Egmont, PE]

Could you expand on the provisions in the former legislation that are repealed?

[Sandra Hassan]

The legislation that had been enacted provided that the Treasury Board, as the employer, could choose to impose a sick leave regime, and that could be done on the recommendation of the President of the Treasury Board.

[Bobby Morrissey, Liberal, Egmont, PE]

With no consultation?

[Sandra Hassan]

The decision to impose the regime was one that was delegated to the president. He could have chosen—

[Bobby Morrissey, Liberal, Egmont, PE]

Unilaterally?

[Sandra Hassan]

It could have been done unilaterally, or it could have been done via consultation. The legislation gave the president that authority to recommend the imposition of a sick leave regime.

[Bobby Morrissey, Liberal, Egmont, PE]

Could you then compare that to the companion piece of the new legislation in Bill C-62, or how it will be treated under Bill C-62?

[Sandra Hassan]

Under Bill C-62, those provisions are repealed, which means that now we need to negotiate those changes with the bargaining agents.

[Bobby Morrissey, Liberal, Egmont, PE]

Has there been some initial conversation or dialogue with the public service unions on this? Could you speak to that?

[Sandra Hassan]

There has been a great deal of dialogue, and two subcommittees have been created. One is done under the auspices of the Public Service Alliance, another with the collaboration of PIPSC, and the discussions to iron out all of the aspects of such a new regime are ongoing. As the minister has indicated, it's not solely looking at sick leave; it's looking at employee wellness as a whole and at a regime that could improve on what we currently have.

[Bobby Morrissey, Liberal, Egmont, PE]

Could you tell the committee what the reaction has been of the second public service union engaging in this?

[Sandra Hassan]

They are interested in having the discussion on this new employee wellness regime and are collaborating at the two subcommittees on a regular basis.

[Bobby Morrissey, Liberal, Egmont, PE]

Thank you.

I'll share my time with Mr. Ruimy.

[Dan Ruimy, Liberal, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC]

We've talked a lot about sick leave but we haven't talked about your disability programs. Can you lay out for us what this legislation could potentially do, what the parameters are, and where you're at with the disability programs?

[Sandra Hassan]

Once the legislation is passed, we're basically at the status quo, as the current regime will continue to apply. Under that regime, those employees who become sick can use their sick days if they have some, and if their sickness or absence from work is for a longer period of time, then the disability regime can kick in after 13 weeks.

[Dan Ruimy, Liberal, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC]

Is that up for negotiation or is that up to be changed in this legislation?

[Sandra Hassan]

If Bill C-62 passes, it would all be subject to negotiation.

[Dan Ruimy, Liberal, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC]

Was it subject to negotiation prior to Bill C-62?

[Sandra Hassan]

Bill C-62 has provided that the president could recommend that a new regime be imposed, so that was significantly different. The president has the authority to recommend that a new regime be imposed instead of being negotiated.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

Thank you.

We have another question from the Liberals, but I'm getting an indication that they're not wanting the question.

Does anybody want to take some of the time?

Mr. Ruimy, do you want to continue to question?