Lucienne Robillard

[Employment Equity, June 6th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the government has adopted the policy on the duty to accommodate persons with disabilities. The aim of this policy is truly to eliminate all obstacles and ensure the full participation of persons with disabilities in the federal public service.

We want a public service that is representative and inclusive. In this regard, we have worked with our various partners and especially with the recruitment committee of the Public Service Commission, as well as with our partners, the unions, and with them we will implement this policy to ensure this representation in the federal public service.

[Auditor General, June 6th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, we have approved a new policy on alternative service delivery arrangements, which requires departments to carry out an impact study and ensure that the public interest is being served.

That said, when a new structure is being created, effort must be made to ensure that proper measures are in place for reporting to the House, to parliament and to the public in general. This we do in all cases, and we improve public reporting.

[Foundations, June 5th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, first of all the public works department does not have private auditors. It has an internal audit function. That is why two years ago it found some problems and some corrective actions were taken at public works.

We have improved the system for the foundations. We have changed the funding agreements with the foundations. There is a possibility also for the minister to ask for a compliance audit by the auditor general. We will look at all other improvements that we can make in that matter.

[Foundations, June 5th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, we are taking a very close look at all the recommendations of the auditor general regarding foundations.

Again, all foundations are audited by a private auditor. Moreover, funding agreements are signed between foundations and the government.

Through these funding agreements there is a possibility that the minister could ask also for a compliance audit and ask the auditor general to go in to see what is going on in the foundation.

I think we are improving the situation and we are doing that in collaboration with the auditor general.

[Official Languages, June 4th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, it is very clear that we do require our senior executives to be bilingual, which is why we even have a skill upgrading program to help them attain a certain level.

We are pleased that the commissioner herself has reported that there have been some positive developments over the past two years. She emphasized the efforts made by the public service specifically to attain this high standard.

[Whistleblowing, May 29th, 2002]

As you know, Mr. Speaker, treasury board has a policy on disclosure and there is an integrity agent officer for the public servants. In no way will they be disciplined if they disclose any wrongdoing in the public service.

[Public Service, May 2nd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, it is very clear that the government is continuing its indepth reform of human resources management in the Public Service of Canada.

The government has undertaken to maintain a competent, professional, bilingual, representative and non-partisan public service. The Prime Minister himself has appointed a task force to proceed with this reform. I am assured that the new clerk will help us finish this reform by next fall.

[Privacy, April 24th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report that Canada has become the first national government in the world to make privacy assessment mandatory for departments and agencies. This policy will ensure that privacy protection is a core consideration in the initial framing of programs and services. All those assessments will have to be sent to the privacy commissioner for his advice.

This is a strong signal to Canadians that the Government of Canada is committed to protecting their personal information.

[Bilingualism, April 19th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, every year, the number of bilingual positions in the public service increases. Therefore, the number of bilingual positions will not decrease.

We are more and more encouraged to see young people from eastern, central, and western Canada who are bilingual when they apply for positions with the federal public service.

So, it is very clear that we will meet the deadlines.

[Bilingualism, April 19th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, as a matter of fact, the Standing Joint Committee on Official Languages discussed the matter this week. I hope that all senior managers will reach this standard, which is now higher.

If some of them fail to meet it—and there is still one year left—we are in the process of looking into measures that could be taken in their case.