Debates of May 19th, 2022

Public Works and Government Services—Main Estimates, 2022-23

[Julie Vignola, Bloc, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Mr. Chair, I hope that the terms of the contract will be respected, but will this contract respect the Defence Development Sharing Agreement?

[Filomena Tassi, Liberal, Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, ON]

Mr. Chair, I believe the member is referring to the economic benefits, and as I have said, this is something we have prioritized with respect to this procurement. It is a $19-billion procurement. It is an important procurement, and we of course want to ensure that we are going to receive the economic benefits.

[Julie Vignola, Bloc, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Mr. Chair, the agreement I mentioned has been around since the 1950s and, although it has been amended, is still in force. I sincerely hope the contracts will include and respect it.

That said, the government estimates that the F‑35s will cost $19 billion, as the minister just said. I would like to know where that estimate comes from and if it includes a cost overrun.

[Filomena Tassi, Liberal, Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, ON]

Mr. Chair, the cost comes from the Department of Defence.

[Julie Vignola, Bloc, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Mr. Chair, are those costs comparable to what other countries ordering F‑35s are paying or will be paying?

[Filomena Tassi, Liberal, Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, ON]

Mr. Chair, this is a rigorous procurement process. It is why we undertook the process. It was competitive. We wanted to ensure we got the best plane for the best price with the greatest economic benefits for Canadians.

[Julie Vignola, Bloc, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Mr. Chair, is the cost comparable to what other countries are paying or will be paying for the same plane?

[Filomena Tassi, Liberal, Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, ON]

Mr. Chair, we are still in negotiations so a final price has not been determined, but that will be determined in the negotiation process. I trust the hon. member understands that we cannot release that information now because negotiations have not concluded. This is the finalization phase.

[Julie Vignola, Bloc, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Mr. Chair, even though negotiations have not concluded, the government has this $19‑billion estimate.

Does that estimate match what the other country is paying for the same plane?

[Filomena Tassi, Liberal, Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, ON]

Mr. Chair, again, that was the whole reason we had this competitive process. We wanted to ensure we were getting the best price. There were three bidders that came forward. The process was valuable in terms of the competitiveness.

[Julie Vignola, Bloc, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Mr. Chair, will the contract specify that pilots must be trained here in Canada?

[Filomena Tassi, Liberal, Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, ON]

Mr. Chair, we always look for the procurement contract that has the best value with the best economic benefits for Canadians as we take a look at the various contracts that are submitted.

[Julie Vignola, Bloc, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Mr. Chair, the best way to get good economic benefits is to ensure that the training and aircraft maintenance are done here.

Will that be the case?

[Filomena Tassi, Liberal, Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, ON]

Mr. Chair, we are in the midst of the procurement, and we are going to do our best to ensure that we are getting the best value for Canadians.

[Julie Vignola, Bloc, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Mr. Chair, 81% of senior public servants are anglophones, but new public servants are 70% anglophone and 30% francophone.

Would it not be logical for the proportion for entry-level public servants to be the same for senior officials?

[Filomena Tassi, Liberal, Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, ON]

Mr. Chair, the question was inaudible for the interpreters, so I will have to ask the member to repeat the question.

[Julie Vignola, Bloc, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Mr. Chair, 81% of senior public servants are anglophones, but new public servants are 70% anglophone and 30% francophone.

Would it not be logical for that proportion to be the same for senior officials, in other words 70% anglophone and 30% francophone?

[Filomena Tassi, Liberal, Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, ON]

Mr. Chair, of course I support both official languages in the public service, but this is a Treasury Board issue, not a PSPC issue.

[Julie Vignola, Bloc, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Mr. Chair, a number of public servants said that everything happens in English and that francophones are discriminated against when they speak French. Their ideas are ignored, and their ability to move up is limited.

Why is it that an idea suggested in French is ignored or dismissed, but the same idea suggested in English is applauded and praised?

[Filomena Tassi, Liberal, Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, ON]

Mr. Chair, I appreciate the member's point that is being made here. We are happy to work with the Treasury Board, but this is not an area that my department is the lead on.

[Julie Vignola, Bloc, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Mr. Chair, the National Capital Commission is refusing to pay property taxes it owes to the Municipality of Chelsea.

How many other tax disputes has this government filed, whether for the National Capital Commission or any other entity or real property belonging to the government?

[Filomena Tassi, Liberal, Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, ON]

Mr. Chair, we understand the issue with PILT and Chelsea. This was an issue for which the NCC offered full and fair compensation. It was unfortunate that this offer was not accepted, and now the matter has been referred to legal proceedings.

[Julie Vignola, Bloc, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Mr. Chair, when I have property taxes to pay, it is quite difficult to negotiate with the municipality.

How many other property tax disputes have there been with respect to federal buildings and land across Canada?

[Filomena Tassi, Liberal, Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, ON]

Mr. Chair, our government is committed to ensuring municipalities pay their fair payments in lieu of taxes. We are working with the Ontario government because it set new legislation that impacted the PILT Act. We are working with it now.

[Julie Vignola, Bloc, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Mr. Chair, what is the total amount that the federal government wants to dispute with municipalities in Quebec and in Canada?