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.)
If you find a question period note of interest, you may make an access to information request in order to obtain it.
Public Services and Procurement Canada is delivering on the Government of Canada’s commitment to increase the diversity of bidders on federal government contracts.
Public Services and Procurement Canada in partnership with Indigenous Services Canada and Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat are actively working to increase the participation of Indigenous businesses in federal procurement.
In a constantly evolving marketplace, questions may arise as to the measures that Public Services and Procurement Canada has in place to protect the integrity of the federal procurement system and better understand who Canada conducts business with.
This note focuses on Phoenix salary overpayments. A salary overpayment is an amount of money paid to an employee to which they are not entitled. Overpayments exist for current and former employees.
Notes:
- Questions related to the Directive on Terms and Conditions of Employment should be directed to the President of the Treasury Board
- Questions related to overpayment write-offs due to the six-year statutory restriction should be directed to the President of the Treasury Board
- Questions regarding the tax implications of Phoenix payroll issues should be directed to the Canada Revenue Agency
Public Services and Procurement Canada is working with Health Canada to support the design of the new Canadian Dental Care Plan.
Note:
All questions regarding the collaboration with provincial and territorial partners and the design of the program should be directed to Health Canada
There has been recent media attention on federal government spending on professional services contracts, noting a 40% increase between fiscal years 2015-16 and 2020-21.
There has been recent media and Parliamentary attention related to contracts awarded to McKinsey & Company.
Note:
All questions related to McKinsey’s work on Robotic Process Automation and Accelerator Services are in a separate question period note (Phoenix IBM and pay stabilization)
The Translation Bureau (the Bureau) supports hybrid sittings of Parliament by providing interpretation services, among other things. Since the start of the pandemic, the Bureau has implemented several measures to protect the health and safety of interpreters. Despite the measures put in place and expert studies, sound-related incidents continue to occur occasionally. The Office continues to face capacity issues that impact parliamentary committee meetings. These issues have been the subject of numerous discussions during parliamentary committee meetings and exchanges with the International Association of Conference Interpreters – Canada region. The interpretation profession is in great shortage in Canada and throughout the world.
On November 7, 2023, the Government of Canada announced that 6 surplus federal properties will be developed into more than 2,800 new homes in Calgary, Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta and St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador and Ottawa, Ontario.
Public Services and Procurement Canada’s Crown-owned building portfolio (excluding housing) is achieving results in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and towards becoming net-zero carbon, in response to the Greening Government Strategy. The department is also achieving results toward zero plastic waste.