Feds must act now, or risk losing generation of entrepreneurs
With the possibility of a second wave of COVID-19 on the horizon and borders restricted, federal and provincial governments have called for the establishment of domestic supply chains and doubled down on support for Canadian innovations, opening up new procurement opportunities and funding programs. While these efforts will help mid- and large-size companies survive, what […]
Feds must act now, or risk losing generation of entrepreneurs
With the possibility of a second wave of COVID-19 on the horizon and borders restricted, federal and provincial governments have called for the establishment of domestic supply chains and doubled down on support for Canadian innovations, opening up new procurement opportunities and funding programs. While these efforts will help mid- and large-size companies survive, what […]
Tech sector eyes procurement as way to stimulate business
As Canada’s tech sector grapples with the fallout of COVID-19, more nimble federal procurement practices are being eyed as a lever to stimulate the sector’s recovery, particularly among small- and medium-sized businesses, and to drive innovation in the public and private sectors. The market Documents released to the House Standing Committee on Government Operations and […]
Feds recognize ‘there’s more work to be done on diversifying the public service,’ says Liberal MP Alghabra
“Glaring” underrepresentation of visible minorities in the upper echelons of the federal public service—Canada’s largest employer with more than 280,000 employees—continues to be something the Liberal government is looking to address, according to Liberal MP and parliamentary secretary for public service renewal Omar Alghabra, with Canada’s first African Canadian appointed to the Senate calling for […]
Oversight for ministers’ regional offices changes hands from PSPC to PCO
Some internal restructuring has taken place within government, with oversight of the 16 ministers’ regional offices having been transferred from Public Services and Procurement Minister Anita Anand to the Privy Council Office at the end of June. “The transfer, which occurred in June 2020, is in keeping with the mandate letter for the Deputy Prime […]
‘Would not be wise to pursue austerity’ before recovery, says Kevin Page
Although there is a projected federal deficit of just under $350-billion for 2020-21, Canada’s former parliamentary budget officer Kevin Page said the government needs to think about spurring economic growth before thinking about austerity measures to cut down on government debt. In an emailed statement to The Hill Times, Mr. Page said he did not […]
When you win against Phoenix, it is but a Pyrrhic victory
OTTAWA—Three years ago this week, I said goodbye to the public service and began a new life as a weekly columnist for this newspaper. At the time, I wrote the following: “I do have good memories. … However (among other things), having to recently deal with $20,000 in Phoenix pay system overpayments sent a message: […]
PSAC reaches tentative deal with feds on Phoenix damages, wage increases
After nearly three weeks at the bargaining table, Canada’s largest federal public service union reached a tentative agreement with the government late on July 9, securing both wage increases and compensation for damages in connection to the problem-plagued Phoenix pay system. The deal was struck nearly four months after strike votes were suspended by the […]
Union heads worry too much left up to ‘discretion’ in public service back-to-workplace plan
Following weeks of consultation and the release of departmental guidelines on the easing of workplace restrictions for tens of thousands of public service workers, heads of federal departments and agencies are now planning for eventual increased access to federal worksites. But the president of Canada’s second-largest public service union says her organization was pushing for […]
Hard-hit Indigenous businesses looking to recoup past gains post-pandemic
Indigenous businesses made up a fast-growing part of the economy before the COVID-19 pandemic, but were often hit harder than most by the resulting shutdowns. Now, Indigenous business leader Tabatha Bull says those businesses can play a big role in getting the country back on track—with a little bit of help. “We’ve seen some real […]
