‘Freedom Convoy’-prompted pause to Centre Block work cost estimated $3-million: PSPC
Work to renovate Centre Block and build a new underground visitor’s welcome centre is running apace to where where it was before a 16-day suspension caused by the “Freedom Convoy” that occupied downtown Ottawa last month, an interruption that Public Services and Procurement Canada estimates cost roughly $3-million. “PSPC is currently assessing the cost and […]
With no end in sight, it’s time for a national inquiry into the Phoenix pay fiasco
The average Canadian could be forgiven if Feb. 28 doesn’t hold any special meaning. But for hundreds of thousands of federal public service workers and retirees, the date marks the sixth anniversary of the Phoenix pay system disaster. More than 300,000 workers—Canada’s largest workforce by far—haven’t forgotten, and they certainly haven’t forgiven. Every paycheque is […]
Public service union helped residents take back their streets as citizens grew weary of law enforcement lag
As the “Freedom Convoy” that descended on downtown Ottawa and surrounding residential streets moved into its third week, thousands of counterprotesters in the nation’s capital began pushing back, many of whom were upset with the ongoing occupation and the lack of action by police services prior to the invocation of the Emergencies Act. Alex Silas, […]
Feds cited caretaker convention to justify delays even after it wasn’t in ‘strict application’
In the weeks following the Sept. 20 election, the Liberal government cited the caretaker convention as a reason to delay releasing new policies or information, but, as the prime minister confirmed in information tabled in the House, the convention was not in “strict application” after election night due to results showing a Liberal re-election and […]
Centre Block project demolition and excavation work nearly two-thirds complete, MPs hear
While Centre Block may have looked beautiful from the outside, “its facilities were critically outdated and systems were failing,” a senior Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) official told MPs recently, offering up new words to describe the deteriorated and outdated state of the 100-year-old Centre Block building to remind MPs “why we are doing […]
New chair of House LTVP working group aims to boost project awareness
The new chair at the helm of the MP working group overseeing plans to renovate the Parliamentary Precinct says he’s looking to do more to ensure people across Canada are aware of the massive and “complicated” project being undertaken. “I’m still being informed of the whole process but I think this is a Canadian project […]
Liberals’ Defence Procurement Canada is still worth a look
Days before Christmas, the Trudeau government released its ministerial mandate letters. An early holiday present for the country’s pundits and policy wonks, the letters highlight government priorities and marching orders for cabinet ministers. For Canadian defence policy observers, the 2021 mandate letters for the ministers of National Defence and Public Service and Procurement Canada (PSPC) […]
Workers are getting us through the pandemic, they shouldn’t have to pay for it
If you’ve experienced grocery store sticker shock recently, you aren’t alone. Feeding your family now costs you 20 per cent more than it used to, and news headlines are filled with soaring numbers and their impact on Canadian pocketbooks. The latest number-crunching in Canada’s Food Price Report is sobering. Grocery bills are set to rise […]
Six decades later, we are overdue for a study of the public service
KAMOURASKA, QUE. – Happy New Year from chilly rural Quebec. To start the year off right, there was an announcement from the PMO, which most Canadians missed: a major shuffle of senior public servants. A total of 18 changes were made, moving 13 men and five women to leadership positions. I have a high regard […]
Politics This Morning: 140 million rapid COVID tests coming to provinces and territories
Good Thursday morning! Yesterday, Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU delivered his first COVID-19 update of the year, alongside Health Minister JEAN-YVES DUCLOS, Chief Public Health Officer THERESA TAM, her deputy, HOWARD NJOO, and Deputy PM CHRYSTIA FREELAND, who participated virtually. During yesterday’s press conference in Ottawa’s Sir John A. Macdonald Building, Trudeau announced that 140 million rapid COVID tests will […]
