Question Period Notes
About this information
In accordance with the Access to Information Act, the government proactively publishes the package of question period notes that were prepared by a government institution for the minister and that were in use on the last sitting day in June and December.
The question period notes may be partially or fully redacted in accordance with the legislation; for example, if the notes contain information related to national security or personal information. (Learn more about exemptions and exclusions.)
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The Canada Border Services Agency was responsible for developing and managing the ArriveCan tool based on Public Health Agency’s health requirements enforced by the Quarantine Act.
On November 2, 2022, a motion was majority voted by the House of Commons that called the Office of the Auditor General of Canada to conduct a performance audit, including payments, contracts, and subcontracts of ArriveCan.
On November 2, 2023, the National Post published an article that raised questions about the transparency of contract costs related to an item in the Public Health Agency of Canada’s 2022-2023 public accounts. After PSPC obtained permission from the company to release commercial confidential information, the Minister of Health confirmed on November 4, 2023, that a $150 million loss as reported was for a non-refundable advance payment made to Medicago as per the COVID-19 vaccine advance purchase agreement.
On December 8, 2023, it was reported that the Government of Canada reached an agreement with Mitsubishi Chemical Group (MCG) regarding Medicago’s obligations to the Strategic Innovation Fund. The agreement between the Government of Canada and MCG recovers a $40 million payment owed to Canada in relation to the construction of the biomanufacturing facility. The $40 million repayment is not related to the COVID-19 advance purchase agreement.
Notes:
- All questions regarding the regulatory review of vaccines should be directed to Health Canada
- All vaccine and therapeutic health-related questions and questions about allocation and distribution should be directed to Public Health Agency of Canada
- All questions regarding the domestic manufacturing of vaccines and Strategic Innovation Funding investments should be directed to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
- All questions regarding the regulatory review of vaccines should be directed to Health Canada and Public Health Agency of Canada
- All questions regarding Medicago’s organization and the decision to cease Medicago operations in Canada should be directed to the Mitsubishi Chemical Group
- All questions regarding vaccine expiration should be directed to the Public Health Agency of Canada
This note focuses on efforts and progress to date to provide support to employees and stabilize the administration of pay, and on financial investments in Phoenix.
Notes:
- All questions related to the mental health of public servants, collective agreements and compensation for Phoenix damages agreements should be directed to the President of the Treasury Board
- Issues related to income tax are under the purview of the Canada Revenue Agency
This note focuses on the efforts and progress to stabilize the administration of pay, manage intake of pay transactions, and the ongoing reduction of the backlog.
Note:
All questions related to Next Generation Human Resources and Pay solution are in a separate question period card developed by Shared Services Canada
Public Services and Procurement Canada is implementing the Long Term Vision and Plan – a multi-decade strategy to restore and modernize the Parliamentary Precinct. The core of the Parliamentary Precinct includes the grounds and buildings on Parliament Hill and the three city blocks directly facing it.
The Department is also supporting Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada to develop a national space for Indigenous Peoples within the Parliamentary Precinct. The project includes the re-development of the former United Stated Embassy (located at 100 Wellington Street), the CIBC building (located at 119 Sparks Street) and an infill space between the two buildings.
Note: Questions related to the Indigenous Peoples’ Space (100 Wellington) should be directed to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs as the overall lead for the Indigenous Peoples’ Space
On November 28, 2023, Canada entered into a government-to-government agreement with the United States (US) Government for the acquisition of up to 16 P-8A Poseidon aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Fourteen multi-mission aircraft will be procured, with options for up to an additional two. The estimated value of this government-to-government agreement, which also includes associated equipment, training devices and initial sustainment, is $5.9 billion USD including contingency.
Notes:
- All questions related to capability and costs should be answered by the Minister of National Defence
- All questions related to industrial and technological benefits should be answered by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
Public Services and Procurement Canada is collaborating and communicating regularly with Transport Canada in order to move quickly on this file while ensuring a fair acquisition process for property owners. The Government of Canada acquired 124 parcels of land from 44 owners for the construction of the Lac-Mégantic railway bypass. These parcels were owned by the municipality of Lac-Mégantic as well as private owners located in Lac-Mégantic, Frontenac and Nantes.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is investigating allegations of misconduct involving contracting to procure software that would provide harassment support to employees of Canada Border Services Agency. Allegations involve misconduct by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officials and industry. The issue is also being examined by the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (OGGO) as part of its ArriveCan contracts study.
The Registrar of Ineligibility and Suspension has suspended Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. (Teva USA) from the award of contracts by the Government of Canada pursuant to its Integrity Regime’s Ineligibility and Suspension Policy.
Beginning on July 1, 2023, when Canada transitioned the administration of claims processing from Sun Life to Canada Life, some Public Service Health Care Plan members have experienced difficulties obtaining assistance via the call centre