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.
There has been recent media attention on federal government spending on professional services contracts, noting a 40% increase between fiscal year 2015-16 and 2020-21. This information was sourced from the Public Accounts of Canada, tabled in the House of Commons on December 14, 2021. The House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (OGGO) is currently carrying out a study on this issue. Budget 2023 proposes to reduce spending on consulting, other professional services, and travel by roughly 15 per cent of planned 2023-24 discretionary spending in these areas. This will result in savings of $7.1 billion over five years, starting in 2023-24, and $1.7 billion ongoing. The government will focus on targeting these reductions on professional services, particularly management consulting.
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)
There has been recent media and Parliamentary attention related to contracts awarded to McKinsey and Company, and outsourcing more broadly.
Budget 2019 provided funding for the replacement of the Alexandra Bridge, and the rehabilitation and ongoing maintenance of the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge and the Chaudière Crossing. It also provided direction for refreshing technical studies on a potential additional (6th) interprovincial crossing in the National Capital Region and developing a Long-Term Integrated Interprovincial Crossings Plan.
The Official Residences of Canada: 2021 Asset Portfolio Condition Report was released by the National Capital Commission (NCC) in 2021 and identified a requirement for a one-time injection of $175 million over 10 years to address the deferred maintenance deficit for all six official residences.
On April 5, 2023, the Hills Times published an article on the number of federal public servants whose security clearances were revoked for cause since 2016. The article states that Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) revoked the security clearance of 120 officials between 2016 and 2023 when, in reality, 110 of these revocations involved contractor personnel, not PSPC officials or employees.
In the fast-paced and constantly evolving marketplace to secure necessary products and supplies to support the Government of Canada’s response to the pandemic, questions may arise as to the measures that Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) has in place to protect the integrity of the federal procurement system during this period.
As part of the Government of Canada’s reaffirmed commitment to invest in Canada’s military, as announced in the 2017 Defence Policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, the Government launched an open and transparent competition in December 2020 to replace Canada’s CC-150 Polaris fleet — the Strategic Tanker Transport Capability (STTC) Project.
Notes:
- All questions related to capability gap, security, interoperability requirements and costs should be answered by the Minister of National Defence
- All questions related to the Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy and the assessment of bidders’ impact on Canada’s economic interests should be answered by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
Public Services and Procurement Canada’s (PSPC) 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 (GGS). The department is also achieving results toward zero plastic waste.
The National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) is a long-term commitment to renew the vessel fleets of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and Canadian Coast Guard (CCG), create a sustainable marine sector, and generate economic benefits for Canadians.
Note: Questions on budget, requirements, timelines, international comparisons, and project management should be directed to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard or the Minister of National Defence, as appropriate
This note focuses on vendor support on the Phoenix file (IBM / Innovation Challenge) as well as other pay stabilization procurement initiatives.
Note: All questions related to Next Generation Human Resources and Pay solution are in a separate question period card developed by Shared Services Canada