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 Government of Canada established the Canadian Postal Service Charter in 2009 to outline expectations regarding service standards in providing postal services to Canadians, with a review it every five years. In 2018, the Government affirmed that Canada Post was expected to continue to meet the existing expectations in the Charter.
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
- All questions related to Next Generation Human Resources and Pay solution are in a separate question period card developed by Shared Services Canada
- Issues related to income tax are under the purview of the Canada Revenue Agency. Questions related to the taxability of damages payments should be directed to Canada Revenue Agency
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
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
Recent media articles have noted that the federal government is planning to join a B.C. class-action lawsuit that accuses McKinsey & Company of engaging in reckless marketing campaigns to boost opioid sales should the class-action move forward. This is in the context of ongoing criticism of McKinsey’s consulting work around the world and ongoing concerns relating to the federal government’s use of consulting firms including McKinsey.
On April 28, 2023, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) awarded a $93.1 million contract to Pomerleau Inc. for construction services related to the modernization of the Daniel J. MacDonald Building in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island after PSPC determined that it had inadvertently and unknowingly erred during the procurement process.
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 to develop a national space for Indigenous Peoples within the Parliamentary Precinct. The project includes the re-development of the former US 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 as the overall lead for the Indigenous Peoples’ Space.
Public Service and Procurement Canada’s Translation Bureau continues to work with the House Administration, Senate Administration and all partners to support Parliament’s hybrid sittings while ensuring the health and safety of its interpreters.
The current contract for the provision of interpretation services to Public Services and Procurement Canada’s Translation Bureau expires on June 30, 2023. Consultations for the next contract are underway. For staff interpreters, the collective bargaining process is ongoing.
Public Services and Procurement Canada and Shared Services Canada is delivering on the Government of Canada’s commitment to increase the diversity of bidders on government contracts.
Public Services and Procurement Canada in partnership with Indigenous Services Canada and Treasury Board Secretariat are actively working to increase the participation of Indigenous businesses in federal procurement.