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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On August 21, 2020, Canada Post reported a $378 million loss before tax for its second quarter. On July 30, 2020, Canada Post announced a new Acting Chair of the Board of Directors.
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) is working with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), Health Canada and Industry, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), along with the COVID Vaccine Task Force to prepare for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines and related supplies.
Note: All questions regarding the rolling regulatory review of vaccines (including the latest on AstraZeneca) would be directed to Health Canada.
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 2017 to permanently replace Canada’s fighter fleet with 88 advanced jets—the Future Fighter Capability Project (FFCP).
Notes:
- All questions related to capability gap, security and interoperability requirements, costs, and Canada’s participation in the Joint Strike Fighter Program 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 (ISED)
- All questions related to trade issues should be answered by the Minister of Foreign Affairs
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.
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) has been working aggressively with domestic and international suppliers, along with provincial and territorial governments to procure medical supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE).
A large proportion of the public service has transitioned to working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Government offices remain open and have been maintained for essential and critical workers to support Government of Canada efforts nationally. This situation is now evolving as some key service functions are incrementally increasing their presence in offices while remaining guided by regional public health agencies.
Context
Budget 2019 provided funding to replace the Alexandra Bridge, to refresh studies on a 6th crossing, to develop a long-term integrated interprovincial crossing plan and to support rehabilitation and ongoing maintenance of existing National Capital Region (NCR) crossings.
On June 4, 2019, the Government of Canada announced that on May 31, 2019 it entered into a contract with a Public-Private Partner (P3) for the modernization of the district energy system in the National Capital Region (NCR). Innovate Energy will complete the design and construction by 2025 and will operate the system until 2055.
A new contract was awarded on April 1 to allow participants involved in the Paper Sorting Services contract, a sub-component of the Government of Canada’s Paper Save program, to continue employment following the end of Employment and Social Development Canada’s (ESDC) contract with the Ottawa-Carleton Association for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (OCAPDD). The new contract is for the sorting of surplus office supplies to divert items from landfills.
Due to COVID-19, this work was suspended, but ongoing efforts are being made to ensure work will be ready for participants once operations can safely resume.
From 2019 to 2023, the West Memorial Building (WMB) will undergo rehabilitation in order to meet the standards of the National Building Code of Canada.
Once rehabilitation is complete, the WMB will temporarily accommodate occupants of the Supreme Court of Canada Building (SCCB) from 2023 to 2028, as the SCCB undergoes its own rehabilitation.