Human Resources Committee on April 23rd, 2018

[Sandra Hassan]

I am sorry, but I do not have the figures on the number of public servants who lost their jobs. We can certainly follow that up, obtain the data, and provide them to the committee at the same time as the data on the number of new employees. We will give you those two sets of figures at the same time.

[Mona Fortier, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Can you tell us about the relationship between the government and the unions in the last two years? I am thinking specifically of the Canadian Union of Public Employees. How has the collaboration been between the employer and the unions? Can you explain the process to us?

[Sandra Hassan]

In the last two years, there has been a lot of action in terms of re-establishing discussions with the unions because there had been some reluctance on their part to continue discussions, and challenges to the legislation had been filed. A lot of work was done to indicate to the unions that the government proposed to repeal the provisions that had been put into effect. During the wait for those bills to be passed, Minister Brison indicated to them, both verbally and in writing, that he would be flexible during the negotiation cycles.

As for sick leave, the Minister made a commitment not to use the authority provided in the legislation. He said that he would go further, that he was going to recommend legislative provisions to repeal the measures that had been established. During the negotiations with the unions, the issues of short-term and long-term sick leave was discussed and agreed upon, so that those provisions continue to apply after the negotiation cycles.

[Mona Fortier, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

On the subject of concluding negotiation cycles, how many negotiations have been concluded since the new government took office in 2015?

[Sandra Hassan]

Of the 27 negotiations, 23 have been concluded.

[Mona Fortier, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Thank you very much.

I have no further questions, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

MP Falk, do you have any further questions? No.

MP Trudel, do you have any further questions? No.

Seeing no further questions, we will wrap it up here.

We do have some committee business, so committee members, don't go away.

Thank you very much for helping us get this legislative review started. I appreciate all of the information you provided today.

Thank you.

[Proceedings continue in camera]