Question Period Note: Public Sector Productivity

Following the announcement from the former President of the Treasury Board, how has the government focused on enhancing productivity in the public sector given the current economic situation and questions about the size and cost of the public service?

• The public sector plays a significant role in the country’s
economy and its overall productivity.
• That is why we have established a working group to examine opportunities to enhance productivity in the federal public service.
• The working group is focusing on ways to improve services to Canadians, use technology to address barriers for individuals and businesses, and increase capacity for innovation and flexibility.
• The working group will provide advice and recommendations through a final report, which is under development.

A healthy economy depends on strong productivity, which leads to faster growth, more jobs and higher wages.
The public sector in Canada accounts for nearly 40% of Canada's GDP, a significant part of Canada's workforce and economy, so it is important to consider the role that the public sector can play in improving Canada’s productivity.

With that in mind, the former President of the Treasury Board announced the establishment of a Working Group in August 2024 to examine how the federal public service can continue to be innovative, flexible and efficient in delivering services for Canadians.
The Terms of Reference, published October 4, 2024, outline the mandate of the Working Group, which is to examine productivity in Canada’s federal public service and to provide advice and recommendations that will inform the Government’s future economic planning.

The Working Group is comprised of members from a range of professional backgrounds, including government, technology, and academia. Members were announced December 10, 2024.

The Government’s work to ensure value for money continues. Along with recent efforts to refocus $15.4 billion in spending toward Canadians’ highest priorities, the findings of this Working Group will help ensure the Government continues to contribute to Canadians’ prosperity into the future.

None