Question Period Note: PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION OF CANADA EMPLOYMENT DATA TRANSFER ISSUE

On the data transfer issue:
• While the situation is most regrettable, I recognize the PSC’s efforts to be transparent and share information in a timely manner.

• The PSC has communicated in writing with those who may have been affected and that information sessions are being held.

• PSC’s goal is create an action plan to identify, as quickly as possible, Veterans and Canadian Armed Forces members who may have been affected.

• PSC is exploring a range of options for affected Veterans and Canadian Armed Forces members and that they are committed to communicating directly with those affected on a regular basis.

• Once the analysis is more advanced, PSC will confirm which options are the most appropriate.

• A formal review examining all relevant staffing files will be undertaken in collaboration with Departments and Agencies.
• I have been assured that the PSC will have new measures to ensure that the risk of reoccurrence is minimized and that the required controls are in place.

On the independence of the PSC:
• The work of the Public Service Commission of Canada (PSC) is based on a century-old decision to protect public service appointments from political interference and ensuring a professional, non-partisan public service.

• From its inception, the PSC was created as an independent agency and does not report to a minister but to Parliament, and even then, only on its overall operations.

• As an independent agency, the PSC fulfills its role to safeguard the integrity of the public service staffing system and the political neutrality of public servants.

• I understand that the PSC has proactively communicated with Parliamentarians and the Parliamentary committees relevant to this issue.

BACKGROUND

Context:
An issue was discovered with the data transfer process between the Department of National Defence and the Public Service Commission of Canada from November 13, 2020, to January 19, 2024, which resulted in a number of Veterans and Canadian Armed Forces members not being properly identified for preference and mobility entitlements.

The data transfer process has been re-established as of January 19, 2024.

Statement by the Public Service Commission of Canada on a data transfer issue

March 21, 2024 – Gatineau, Quebec – Under the Public Service Employment Act, eligible Veterans and Canadian Armed Forces members are provided entitlements to support them in finding federal public employment: priority, preference and mobility. To enable preference and mobility entitlements, the Public Service Commission of Canada (PSC) receives a list from the Department of National Defence of eligible Veterans and serving Canadian Armed Forces members through a secure web service.

The PSC discovered a technical issue with this data transfer process from November 13, 2020, to January 19, 2024. This issue may have led to a number of Veterans and Canadian Armed Forces members not being properly identified for preference and mobility entitlements. The data transfer process has since been re-established.

The PSC determined that this technical issue had no impact on the priority entitlements of medically released Veterans, as these entitlements are captured in a different system. All Veterans and Canadian Armed Forces members who may have been affected were notified of this issue in writing. We are offering them information sessions to provide them with more details and next steps. We will communicate with them regularly throughout this process.

The PSC will be launching an audit with departments and agencies to determine exactly who was affected, and will communicate results to those individuals.

Canada’s Veterans and Canadian Armed Forces members are a rich source of talent with valuable knowledge, skills and experience, and a demonstrated commitment to Canada. The PSC values their contribution to our country and will continue to support their employment in the public service.

Quick facts:

The Public Service Employment Act supports eligible Veterans and Canadian Armed Forces members find federal public service jobs through 3 mechanisms:

• Preference: eligible Veterans who meet the essential qualifications for jobs open to the public are appointed before other Canadian citizens and permanent residents
• Mobility: eligible Veterans and Canadian Armed Forces members can apply to internal jobs
• Priority entitlements: eligible medically released Canadian Armed Forces members are to be appointed before all others when they meet the essential qualifications (not affected by this technical issue)

Preference and mobility entitlements are supported by the PSC’s Public Service Resourcing System (GC Jobs), which is where the data transfer issue occurred. “Priority entitlements” are supported by a different system, and were not affected by the issue.

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