Art Eggleton

[Government Operations, March 23rd, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, we will ensure that what information is available is provided to the hon. member and other members to help them scrutinize this matter in an appropriate fashion.

Let me tell the hon. member that the government has and will continue to ensure the efficient and effective use of taxpayers' dollars. We want to make sure that we are getting good value for the taxpayers' dollars.

[Government Operations, March 23rd, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, there is no withholding of any information. In fact the contracting out issue is under very careful scrutiny by the government operations committee at the moment.

A wealth of information is being provided and the member has full access to it as we attempt to address the whole question and review the appropriateness of the contracting out of government services.

[Ethics, March 23rd, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the answer was given yesterday by the Prime Minister. I think that is the valid answer.

[Public Service, March 22nd, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the government is solidly committed to equal pay for work of equal value. We demonstrated that when after many years of failed attempts we were able to reach an agreement with the professional institute with respect to pay equity for nurses, dietitians, occupational and physical therapists.

In relation to the public service alliance, we have had some informal discussions to this point. I would welcome more formal negotiations to try to bring about a resolution of the matter.

We now have a new methodology as provided through this latest of negotiations. We are committed to continuing on the path of bringing about pay equity within the public service.

[Public Service, March 17th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I do not believe so. We are going to monitor the situation very carefully.

I have said, that these are positions related to certain programs and services that are going to be cut as a result of budget reduction measures. Treasury Board will be monitoring them to try and ensure that we do not get into a disproportionate situation for any one particular group and that we do maintain a dedicated, professional public services that is able to provide the services Canadians need.

[Public Service, March 17th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, in short, no. We are making the cuts according to the programs and services we have reviewed. They are going to be cut as part of our endeavours to get the deficit down and to cut government expenditures.

It is the positions that are associated with those programs and services that will be cut. Some of them will be long term positions, some will be contractual positions. We will be monitoring the entire situation to make sure that at the end of the day after the cuts are made, we will still have a public service that is able to provide the needs of Canadians in an efficient and effective manner.

[Government Expenditures, March 15th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, we do not close an eye to any matter brought to our attention whereby we can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government programs and services. Any that have been brought to my attention have been or are being examined very carefully.

We do not take lightly the fact that part of our expenditure reduction program involves 45,000 people having to be removed from their positions in the public service. We intend to treat people fairly and equitably in carrying this out and ensuring that we get the fiscal house of the government in order.

[Government Expenditures, March 15th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, we do not subscribe to government waste. In terms of program review we have gone through in great detail all the programs and services provided by the government.

In order to get our deficit down, in order to get our fiscal house in order, we have made the most major cuts that have been made in government expenditures since the end of the second world war. That will help to bring about a discipline and ensure more than ever before that we have the greatest efficiency and effectiveness in terms of the spending of public taxpayers dollars.

[Pensions, March 14th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, a number of representatives of the private sector advised the government of the day on this matter. They said: "If you really want to attract top people to serve the public of Canada you are going to have to be competitive, and your salaries are not competitive".

We have to look at it from a total compensation package point of view. On that basis that is why it has been offered to senior deputy ministers.

[Pensions, March 14th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, there is certainly no lump of coal to the rest of the public service. We treat them fairly and equitably. We will certainly be doing that in the downsizing exercise.

The program was brought in by the previous government in 1988 because at the time it wanted to attract more people from the private sector to become deputy ministers. The private sector said: "You are not competitive in terms of your salaries". It said: "We will take the additional pension allowance as being part of a total compensation package and will help attract people from the private sector into deputy minister positions". That is the reason the government brought in the program.