Government Operations committee  This is interesting because I looked at the numbers, and we didn't necessarily see a huge increase in the number of applications. However, the applications came in earlier. I was just looking at the curve, when they came in through the period just before the summer, because I mostly looked at the last summer period.

Government Operations committee  Are you talking about our resourcing system?

Government Operations committee  We make sure we meet the highest standards of privacy protection. I can't give you any details on how we do it, but I can tell you that, to my knowledge, there haven't been any problems in this respect. Is the study you're referring to from 2005?

Government Operations committee  I'm sorry; I didn't quite understand.

Government Operations committee  I will have to provide an answer later. I don't have this information with me, unless my colleague does. I see he doesn't. Mr. Chair, I will provide the committee with an answer later.

Government Operations committee  Thank you for your question. Our tests are adapted to all needs. About 50 industrial psychologists work with us. They ensure that our tests meet all possible international standards and that they are adapted for all needs, whether they are related to disability and learning issues or problems of all kinds.

Government Operations committee  Obviously, we are very conscious of lessons learned associated with other systems development. The approach we've taken to develop prototypes is a way for us to ensure that before we go to the market and start procuring this solution, we will have tested it through prototypes. This will allow us to focus the scope of the system project and to a certain extent redo some of the risks associated with that.

Government Operations committee  It's a work in progress still.

Government Operations committee  Yes, we already develop pools. We develop specific pools, working with individual departments or collective departments. For example, if they're looking at bringing in scientific staff, maybe a number of science-based departments could work together. We do that already. We also have our pool from the post-secondary recruitment program that's established on an annual basis.

Government Operations committee  There are a lot more flexibilities already available to managers than they sometimes acknowledge. Our job is to make sure they know what's available to them, what the options are, and that they can choose to have approaches that are much more targeted and that can lead to results much more quickly.

Government Operations committee  Clearly, encouraging managers across the public service to open their processes to all Canadians rather than leaving them closed to the public service would automatically allow more diverse candidates and young people to apply. I think it's part of our role to socialize that type of message when we're working with managers.

Government Operations committee  That's a pretty wide question in terms of our mandate.

Government Operations committee  Obviously, recruitment is our daily bread. We think and dream and sleep recruitment. We're always constantly looking at ways that we can do a better job in terms of reaching Canadians, reaching the talent where it is, wherever it may be in the country, and ensuring that, within the public service itself, managers are as open as possible to finding talent across the country, including in some cases sometimes, not very far, just looking at people like veterans who are available on the priority list.

Government Operations committee  Good morning, Mr. Chair and members of the committee. I am pleased to be here today along with Philip Morton, our vice-president of corporate affairs, to discuss the Public Service Commission of Canada's supplementary estimates (B) and our 2016-17 Departmental Results Report. The Public Service Commission promotes and safeguards merit-based appointments, and in collaboration with other stakeholders protects the non-partisan nature of the public service.

Government Operations committee  Madam Chair, this is not a question I'm able to answer. I don't have insights or information that I can share with the committee. I can only say that as a manger in the public service I certainly took responsibility for the failure. We all have a responsibility to pay our employees fairly, on time, and accurately.