Question Period Note: Tabling of the 2021 to 2022 Departmental Results Report for Public Services and Procurement Canada

On November 24, 2022, the 2021 to 2022 Departmental Results Report for Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) was tabled in the House of Commons by the President of the Treasury Board. The report highlights the Department’s key program accomplishments for 2021 to 2022.

• The Departmental Results Report outlines the concrete activities that Public Services and Procurement Canada has undertaken on behalf of Canadians and other federal organizations
  • Among many accomplishments last year, the Department implemented the Policy on Social Procurement and Supplier Diversity Action Plan to increase the participation of businesses from under-represented groups in the federal procurement
  • Public Services and Procurement Canada continued the implementation of the Electronic Procurement Solution, which was used to award nearly 500 contracts in 2021 to 2022, and this has increased significantly since then
  • The Department also engaged federal organizations and is moving forward on the Office Long Term Plan, which aims to right-size, recapitalize and modernize the Government of Canada’s Office Portfolio over a 25-year planning horizon
  • These are just a few of the examples of progress that Public Services and Procurement Canada has made, with more available in the Departmental Results Report

If pressed on results associated with the participation of Indigenous and women‑led businesses to procurement processes:

• Fewer contracts were awarded under the Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business in 2021 to 2022, in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, procurements of office furniture under this Strategy declined substantially
• Public Services and Procurement Canada has provided its procurement workforce with guidance and tools to increase opportunities for Indigenous businesses and Peoples in procurement
• Through Procurement Assistance Canada, the Department is undertaking outreach and engagement to increase the diversity of bidders on government contracts

If pressed on the decrease related to contract value awarded to small and medium businesses:

• In previous years, contracts with some large businesses were erroneously include in the calculation of the contract value awarded to small and medium-sized enterprises
• Going forward, the methodology and data for reporting on contracts awarded to small and medium enterprises will be refined
• In addition, Procurement Assistance Canada will continue to provide support and assistance to small and medium business in order to improve their access to federal procurement

If pressed on results related to respecting timeframes for contracts awarded:

• Changes underway to improve the Department’s procurement processes, in order to include socio-economic elements, have been impacting procurement timeframes
• Public Services and Procurement Canada is taking action to support its procurement workforce by developing tools and guidelines that will improve timeframes going forward
• For example, Public Services and Procurement Canada released step-by-step guidance to its procurement workforce on incorporating measures into the Indigenous procurement process, such as defining requirements and conducting market research, so that these can be done within timeframes
• The Department also launched its Supplier Diversity Action Plan, which outlines concrete steps to increase the participation of businesses from under-represented groups in federal procurement, a cornerstone of which is the Policy on Social Procurement

If pressed on results related to pay transactions processed that are accurate and on time:

• In 2021 to 2022, 81% of pay transactions processed were accurate and on time, compared to 73% in the previous fiscal year (2020 to 2021)
• This is progress towards meeting the target of 95% of pay transactions being processed accurately and on time
• Nonetheless, we recognize there is still much work to do, and we continue to work hard to ensure federal government employees across Canada are paid accurately and on time

If pressed on low results for PSPC service standards met and/or overall client satisfaction:

• Due to a high turn-over resulting in staff shortages, and an increase in the volume of requests, a number of services did not meet their service standard targets in 2021 to 2022
• In 2021 to 2022, the Department administered survey questions to clients – namely federal departments and agencies – to obtain feedback
• These survey questions were strengthened, thus allowing clients to provide more direct and relevant feedback on client satisfaction
• To address this feedback, the Department is working to improve timeliness, the availability of online information and processes

If pressed on the rising operating expenses per square metre of Crown-owned office space:

• For accuracy and transparency purposes, additional costs, such as those related to repairs, security and administration, have been included in the 2021 to 2022 operating expenses
• Despite this change to the calculation methodology, the target of not exceeding $173.18 per square meter was still met
• This change to the calculation methodology explains the gap between this year’s result ($172.31 per square metre) and last year’s result ($135.35 per square metre). If additional costs had been included in the calculations for last year, the result would have been a cost of $170.24 per m2

PSPC’s Departmental Results Report is prepared annually to report on how the department has fulfilled the expectations outlined in the corresponding Departmental Plan. The report is tabled every Fall by the President of the Treasury Board. Parliamentary committees have an opportunity to review and question departmental spending and achieved results.

Priority Activities

In 2021 to 2022, PSPC made progress in the implementation of the priorities identified in the 2021 to 2022 Departmental Plan.

In particular, PSPC continued to play a key role in supporting Canada’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic by procuring essential vaccines and therapeutics, testing equipment and border testing services. Securing these goods and services was central to supporting the reopening of the economy, schools and other industries for Canadians.

Key Financial Information

The Departmental Results Report shows a decrease of $318.9 million between 2021 to 2022 planned spending and the actual spending, from $4.17 billion to $4.49 billion. This is not unusual since planned spending is determined prior to the year and does not include changes in funding approved throughout 2021 to 2022. This decrease is mainly due to delays in several capital and fit-up projects as well as increased revenues for accommodation.

Expenses were $178 million higher than planned (planned: $6,949.1 million; actual: $7,127.1 million) mainly due to expenditures to support the Government of Canada’s evolving response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the continued modernization of federal procurement to support a more robust, inclusive and sustainable economy.

Revenues were $299 million higher than planned (planned: $3,209.9 million; actual: $3,509.4 million) mainly due to an increase in revenues from services provided to other government departments for the purchase of COVID-19 supplies and related logistics as well as increased revenues for accommodations.

Key Performance Information

In 2021 to 2022, where results were available and targets were set, 70% of PSPC’s Departmental Results Indicators (DRIs) met their targets. This is slightly lower than the department’s performance in 2020 to 2021 (72%). This result is largely attributable to pandemic-related impacts; changes underway to procurement processes to ensure benefits to Indigenous peoples and under-represented groups; high staff turnover and shortages; as well as an increase in the volume of clients request, such as the increase in the demand for remote interpretation.

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