Question Period Notes
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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.
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Budget 2019 provided funding for the replacement of the Alexandra Bridge, 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 6th interprovincial crossing in the National Capital Region and developing a Long-Term Integrated Interprovincial Crossings Plan.
Since 2017, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) has supported the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to put in place contracts and leases to manage an increase in asylum seekers at the St-Bernard-de-Lacolle border crossing.
Whereas the contracting values are publicly disclosed, the sole source leases values have historically not been subject to the same disclosure requirements.
Nine lease agreements have been concluded with companies owned by Pierre Guay (e.g. for office space, land, and for use of the hotel adjacent to the border crossing). Various requests (media and access to information) were made concerning these lease agreements. Mr. Guay is characterized in a La Presse article as a supporter of the Liberal Party of Canada.
In September 2022, Radio-Canada published a number of stories on the Roxham Road crossing, criticizing the Government for not releasing the lease costs associated with the processing of asylum claims.
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), on behalf of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), awarded three professional services contracts in support of the ArriveCan application: one to create the application; one to improve its accessibility; and one to maintain and make improvements to it, along with other IM/IT applications. While the two initial contracts were non-competitive, the third contact, which is currently in place to provide maintenance and ongoing support for ArriveCan and other applications, was competitively awarded.
There may be concerns that when large numbers of employees return to the worksite or continue with remote or hybrid work, the underlying information technology infrastructure will not function effectively to support them.
Outlining Shared Services Canada’s (SSC) role in the delivery of the Benefits Delivery Modernization (BDM) program at Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
On May 4, 2022, the Department of National Defence announced delays in the Fixed-Wing Search and Rescue (SAR) project. The CC295 Kingfisher fleet of aircraft, that will eventually replace existing SAR aircraft, still require significant work, tests, and trials before entering into Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) service. As a result, Initial Operational Capability (IOC) has been delayed from 2022 to 2025-2026.
The new fleet of modern aircraft is equipped with technologically advanced systems and will be able to perform in Canada’s harsh search and rescue environment; one of the most challenging and diverse landscapes in the world.
Note: All questions related to Initial and Full Operational Capabilities, capability gap, security, interoperability requirements and costs should be answered by the Minister of National Defence
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 responsible ministers, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard or the Minister of National Defence, as appropriate
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) is working to modernize and simplify procurement.
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) is delivering on the Government of Canada’s commitments to increase the diversity of bidders on government contracts.
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) is actively working to increase the participation of Indigenous businesses in federal procurement.
Note: A separate QP card on identifying diverse firms covers the issue of self-identification of Indigenous firms