Mr. Minister, these workers who came into my office really were demoralized, so I started asking them why they were so down and had no energy and no life. I took some notes in that meeting. Just let me read to you from some of the notes that I took.
They heard about sick leave being taken away during National Public Service Week, the week that is supposed to highlight public servants and the work they do for Canadians.
Everything was cut; nothing was analyzed to determine where good cuts could be made. The public service was just hacked away.
Everything was top secret.
Nobody cared about people. Discipline was the first course of action, instead of talking to someone first.
To me, Minister Brison, it was very, very clear how a culture had evolved or was created to disrespect our public servants. I think the biggest concern I heard in that meeting was that it's difficult to do a good job when you don't feel respected.
Minister Brison, I'd just like to ask you what you and your department have done to reset the relationship with our public service unions and restore the culture of respect and good faith that existed under previous governments. Can you speak to that?