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 March 1st, 2022, the Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency tabled Bill C-13 An Act to amend the Official Languages Act, to enact the Use of French in Federally Regulated Businesses Act and to make related amendments to other Acts in the House of Commons. This Bill provides for, among other things, the creation of a new law to register new rights to work and obtain services in French in federally regulated private businesses in Québec and in certain regions with a strong Francophone presence.
On December 1st, 2021, Senator Claude Carignan introduced Bill S-229 that would amend the Language Skills Act to add the position of Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick to the list of positions where knowledge of French and English is mandatory. This is in addition to Bill S-220, introduced by the Senator a week earlier, concerning the language skills of the position of Governor General of Canada.
According to her mandate letter of December 2021, the Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency is called upon to "Protect the institutions of Quebec’s English-speaking community and support the creation of new education and community spaces for the community”.
In May 2022, the press reported on the under-representation of Francophones in the senior federal public service. Some stakeholders, such as the unions representing civil servants, have found that Bill C-13 does not sufficiently address the issue of language of work in the federal public service. There are recurring compliance issues that result in numerous complaints to the Commissioner of Official Languages. In addition, there are calls for an increase in the bilingualism bonus from, $800 to $1,500.
Renewing and Expanding the Oceans Protection Plan
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.
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”.
Note: All questions related to the government-wide policy of mandatory vaccinations should be directed to the President of the Treasury Board
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) is working to modernize and simplify procurement.
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
The global nature of supply chains puts procurements at the potential risk of the goods having been produced using forced labour and human trafficking.
Note: All questions regarding the import prohibition of goods that are mined, manufactured or produced by forced labour should be directed to the Minister of Public Safety, as the Minister responsible for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
Supermax forced labour allegations is now a standalone QP note