Thank you so much, Mr. Chair and committee members.
It's good to be back here.
First of all, I want to apologize. I had every intention of being there in person. Unfortunately, I appear to have come down with a rather nasty bug, and I didn't think it would be kind to infect everyone with whatever it is that I have.
I will now speak to the supplementary estimates (B) for 2022-23 that pertain to my portfolio as Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Canada.
ESDC is the largest federal service delivery organization in Canada. As demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic, the programs and services ESDC delivers are essential and make a difference in the lives of Canadians. The requests today aim to strengthen protections and continue building a stronger, more inclusive country.
The old age security program paid more than $60 billion in benefits to 7 million claimants last year. Since 2004, the number of clients has increased by 67%, and the number of clients is expected to rise to more than 10 million by 2035. Each week, the department receives about 62,000 new applications.
Employment and Social Development Canada is requesting $46.4 million to serve Canadians effectively and increase the capacity of the pension call centre to better respond to applications and reduce wait times.
To help seniors, we need to be able to effectively deliver the old age security program. We are requesting an additional $13.5 million for operating expenses to modernize the computer system and improve the delivery of old age security. These funds will facilitate the creation of a new contact centre model that will have a well-trained and integrated workforce to provide a high quality of service.
EDSC's computer systems are at risk of failure. We are requesting $16.3 million to stabilize computer systems to improve network performance and mitigate risks.
Let me quickly mention other initiatives for which we seek funding.
The Black-led philanthropic endowment fund is a budget 2021 initiative under the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion. It seeks to create a sustainable source of funding for Black-led, Black-focused and Black-serving non-profit organizations and registered charities.
Minister Qualtrough also spoke about this initiative the last time she was before this committee. With approximately $200 million, ESDC will support the implementation and provide one national recipient organization with the means to establish and operate the endowment fund, beginning in the 2022-23 fiscal year. This investment will work to reduce anti-Black racism and improve the social and economic outcomes in Black communities.
Second, the investment readiness program is a $50-million initiative to advance social innovation and social finance. Approximately $4.4 million will help social purpose organizations build their capacity and skills to find innovative ways to tackle social inequality, reduce poverty and fight climate change.
Third, I would like to mention the historic early learning and child care agreements that the federal government has signed with all the provinces and territories. These agreements aim to reduce regulated child care fees, create high-quality, flexible and inclusive child care spaces, as well as support early childhood educators.
$4.4 million will support the early learning and child care innovation program, as well as other child care research and data collection projects. This additional funding will be used to explore, test, and develop ways to help families access child care, as well as to fill gaps and improve the knowledge needed to build a Canada-wide system.
Finally, I will discuss indigenous early learning and child care.
We know that culturally appropriate early learning and child care services designed by and in collaboration with indigenous partners give indigenous children the best possible start in life.
The $1.9 million requested will be used to advance the commitments outlined in the jointly developed indigenous early learning and child care framework and to support strategies developed by first nations, Inuit and Métis governments and organizations.
Finally, there is the need for public health measures at Service Canada centres. Since Service Canada centres reopened in 2020, in-person client interactions have doubled. ESDC is seeking $5.9 million to address public health requirements to protect both clients and staff.
There is no doubt the financial resources requested will improve the standard of living and quality of life for all Canadians.
Thank you. I am now happy to take your questions.