House of Commons photoLost her last election, in 2021, with 42% of the vote.
Public Services and Procurement October 26th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, the public service pay problems are totally unacceptable and have put many public servants in a difficult financial position. We know this situation is very frustrating.
Departmental employees are working tirelessly to meet the October 31 deadline, but we are behind schedule. Resolving these cases is our priority.
Public Services and Procurement October 24th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, the ongoing public service pay problems are completely unacceptable. Many employees across the public service are facing financial hardship because of the current pay issues.
Department employees are working tirelessly to meet the deadline, but we are tracking behind our project's schedule. Resolving these cases is our priority.
Child Care October 19th, 2016
Madam Speaker, we are committed to reaching a resolution in the case of the daycare located at Complexe Guy-Favreau daycare. In this case, Public Services and Procurement Canada continues to work with the client departments located at Guy-Favreau—the day care centre, the unions, and the provincial government—to find ways to ensure its continued long-term viability. We were successful with Garderie Tunney's Daycare, and we will continue to work to achieve the same result for Guy-Favreau.
Child Care October 19th, 2016
Madam Speaker, I welcome the opportunity to take part in this evening's debate on the first anniversary of our government's election. Our government was elected on the promise of helping to boost the middle class and those working hard to join it. On the issue of daycares in federal government workplaces, we have done just that.
Our government recognizes that Canadian families need support and that all Canadian children are entitled to an equal opportunity to succeed. Within the federal public service, the Treasury Board policy on workplace day care centres aims to assist employees who are parents and require child care to pursue careers in the public service.
The policy states that the decision to subsidize day care centres resides with government departments who have employees within the same building. When departments no longer wish to subsidize a day care centre, day care operators are informed of the change and are required to pay market rates if they wish to keep operating in the same location.
Public Services and Procurement Canada's role is to support the department in acquiring and setting up facilities intended to be used for child care, as well as reaching licensing agreements with the day care operators.
If called to intervene, Public Services and Procurement Canada works with the day care operators to come up with ways to facilitate the transition towards paying rent at market prices. This could include extending rent subsidies while the day care centre works with parents and develops a new business model that takes the cost of rent into account.
In the case of Garderie Tunney’s Daycare, its rent subsidy ended in 2014. The daycare then entered into a five-year commercial lease agreement with Public Services and Procurement Canada. For the first 18 months of the lease, Public Services and Procurement Canada significantly reduced the rent compared with fair market values. This transition period was meant to allow the daycare to develop a viable business model taking into account rental costs.
When the day care advised Public Services and Procurement Canada that it would have difficulty meeting its rent obligations, even after the 18 month transition period that ended on April 1, PSPC extended the rent subsidy for an additional three months.
Public Services and Procurement Canada recently reached an agreement with client departments and Garderie Tunney’s Daycare to ensure a long-term viable solution.
Committees of the House October 17th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 109 of the House of Commons I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the government response to the second report of the Standing Committee on Official Languages, entitled “Study of the Translation Bureau”.
Public Services and Procurement October 7th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to section 150 of the Financial Administration Act, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the Defence Construction Canada 2015-16 annual report on operations, and the Canada Lands Company Limited 2015-16 annual report on operations.
Women's History Month October 7th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, to celebrate Women's History Month, I set out to highlight a particular Canadian woman. However, as I started to do the research, I found that the list of women in Canada is perhaps shorter than it should be.
There is no question that throughout Canada's history there have been many women who have accomplished incredible things. Canadian women have fought to be heard. They have stood their ground at great personal cost, triumphed in the face of adversity, and thus shaped the fabric of our nation.
However, many of these women remain nameless, and their stories, untold.
I am challenging everyone, this Woman's History Month, to look around you and ensure that a great woman in your midst has her story told.
Her contributions must be celebrated. We need to encourage Canadian women to make a difference and inspire girls to follow their example.
History has its eyes on us. Let us ensure there are more Canadian—
Canada Gazette September 30th, 2016
Madam Speaker, I am pleased to inform members that October 2 marks the 175th anniversary of the Canada Gazette, the Government of Canada's official newspaper.
Since 1841, the Canada Gazette has documented proclamations of war and peace, notices of royal assent, regulations and judicial appointments.
The Canada Gazette is much more than just a way for the government to keep Canadians informed. It is also a key communication channel through which Canadians can reach their government. The government's regulatory proposals are posted on the Canada Gazette website for all to see, and Canadians are invited to share their views.
I congratulate the Public Services and Procurement Canada in its role as the Queen's printer, and I thank the Canada Gazette employees whose efforts contribute to our country's democracy.
National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians Act September 28th, 2016
Madam Speaker, my hon. colleague has made a point of outlining how important this parliamentary committee is. I am wondering if he could elaborate on the key roles and responsibilities of this multi-party parliamentarian committee and give us some insight as to why it is unprecedented in comparison with other Five Eyes nations.
Child Care September 27th, 2016
Madam Speaker, in the case of the day care at the Guy-Favreau Complex, Public Services and Procurement Canada continues to work with the departments located at Guy-Favreau to find a suitable solution for all parties, as we did with Garderie Tunney's Daycare.