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 are concerns that when large numbers of public servants return to the worksite, the underlying information technology infrastructure will not effectively function.
On May 11, 2018, the Governments of Canada and Quebec announced the construction of a railway track that will bypass downtown Lac-Mégantic at a cost of $133M. The Government of Canada will contribute 60% of the project costs. As part of the construction of this bypass, the Government of Canada will need to acquire properties belonging to 43 owners in Lac-Mégantic, Frontenac and Nantes.
The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) has acquired a used commercial light icebreaker, currently designated Mangystau-2, to operate in the shallower waters of the St. Lawrence River and access the Great Lakes, which are critical icebreaking areas. The vessel will supplement CCG’s icebreaking capabilities and buoy tending while other CCG vessels are going through the Vessel Life Extension program.
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.
A large proportion of the public service continues to work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Government offices remain open to ensure the delivery of essential government functions and many clients’ preparations for eventual return to the workplace are ongoing, guided by regional public health agencies.
Note: Questions on employees returning to the workplace should be responded to by the President of the Treasury Board, as the employer.
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 plastics.
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) is the federal government’s administrator of real property and is responsible for approximately 6 million square metres (m²) of rentable office space across Canada. Studies undertaken prior to the COVID-19 pandemic showed that existing office space was underutilized by 40%, and considered inefficient with annual operating and maintenance costs of approximately $2.4B.
Human remains were discovered during project excavations at St. Andrews Lock and Dam in Lockport, Manitoba.
On October 6, 2021, the Government of Canada announced plans to require vaccination across the federal public service. The announcement also noted that “contracted personnel who require access to federal government worksites will also need to be vaccinated”.
Notes:
- All questions related to the government-wide policy of mandatory vaccinations should be directed to the President of the Treasury Board
In support of local communities in the National Capital Region, and in alignment with federal legislation, the National Capital Commission’s (NCC) pays its fair share of Payments In Lieu of Taxes (PILT) to various municipalities where it owns real property on behalf of the Crown.
The Province of Ontario has implemented a legislative amendment for 2021 regarding Business Education Tax (BET) rates that creates an inequity in treatment between taxable business properties and payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILT) properties.