Question Period Note: 2021 to 2022 Public Accounts of Canada

The President of the Treasury Board is expected to table the 2021-22 Public Accounts Report the week of October 24, 2022.

• Shared Services Canada plays a key role in the government’s ability to deliver digital programs and services
  • In 2021-22, SSC’s total authority available for use was $1.97 billion in operating expenditures, $338.4 million in capital expenditures and $116.5 million for statutory expenditures
  • At the end of 2021-22, SSC reported a surplus of $262.1 million, in part due to supply chain issues. This surplus is comprised of $147.3 million in operating expenditures and $114.8 million in capital expenditures
  • SSC will continue to make diligent use of funds to ensure maximum value for Canadians

If pressed on professional and management consulting services expense:

• SSC will always need to supplement its workforce with additional resources to deliver the Government of Canada’s digital agenda, including its many Information Technology projects
• This reality, combined with the Department’s contribution to the pandemic response, necessitated an overall increase in resources during 2021-22. A portion of these additional resources will be time-limited, as SSC has a significant project portfolio which requires specific expertise not always available within the federal public service. These resources are obtained through a combination of professional and management consulting services

If pressed on carry forward:

• Supply chain issues and resource capacity constraints affected SSC’s planned priorities and impacted several deliverables. As a result, TBS approved SSC’s carry forward request of $176.2M

If pressed on losses of public money and property:

• Though SSC is reporting $4,551 for 8 cases of losses of public property due to theft in 2021-22, there were no losses of public money due to an offence, illegal act or accident

If pressed on claims against the Crown:

• The vast majority of these Claims are compensation for employees, former employees and estates of deceased employees impacted by the Phoenix pay

SSC Funding: In 2021-22, Shared Services Canada received the following authorities:

• $1,969.4M in Vote 1, Operating Expenditures;
• $338.4M in Vote 5, Capital Expenditures; and
• $116.5M related to statutory expenditures

Professional and Special Services: Total professional and special services incurred by Shared Services Canada for 2021-22 was $433.7M ($386.6M in 2020-21). Significant items within these services include:

• $235.4M in informatics services ($209.2M in 2020-21); and
• $151.0M in management consulting fees ($126.0M in 2020-21)

Losses of Public Property: In 2021-2022, Shared Services Canada reported $30,810 for 63 cases for losses of public property due to theft, damage or loss. However, SSC did not incur any losses of public money due to an offence, illegal act or accident.:

• $26,259 for 55 cases of losses of public property due to damage or loss ($65,493 for 82 cases in 2020-2021);
• $4,551 for 8 cases of losses of public property due to theft ($0 for 0 cases in 2020-2021); and
• $0 for 0 cases of losses of public money due to an offence, illegal act or accident ($0 for 0 cases in 2020-2021)

Payment of Claims against the Crown: In 2021-22, Shared Services Canada reported $4,839,623 for a total of 5,499 cases compared to $3,257,625 for a total of 1,852 in 2020-21. These totals break down as follows:

• $4,731,485 for 5,477 for compensation for employees, former employees and estates of deceased employees impacted by the Phoenix pay system ($3,088,680 for 1,805 cases in 2020-21);
• $31,900 for 19 cases of Phoenix pay system transition ($92,841 for 42 cases in 2020-21),
• $76,238 for 3 settlements subject to publication exemption ($42,104 for 3 cases in 2020-21)
• $0 for 0 cases for the settlement of claims related to a procurement process ($34,000 for 2 cases in 2020-21)

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