Canada needs to step up its assistance to Yemen, play a leadership role in addressing the humanitarian crisis, says former Liberal justice minister
In spite of the $130-million that the Canadian government has set aside to fight the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, more needs to be done, says a former Liberal justice minister and the NDP. The civil war in Yemen has been ravaging the Arabian peninsula nation of nearly 28 million people since 2015 as the Hadi […]
PSAC declares bargaining impasse, calls for commission as prelude to potential strike vote
The largest public sector union is one step closer to strike action for four groups representing 90,000 public servants, after declaring a bargaining impasse over the government’s latest contract offer. In response to the Public Service Alliance of Canada’s (PSAC) opening proposal of a 3.75 per cent raise in October, Treasury Board countered with a […]
House officers’ union walks away from table amid ongoing labour standoff with PPS
Labour talks between the House of Commons security officers’ union and the Parliamentary Protective Service that employs them recently dissolved, with the officers walking away from the bargaining table, alleging bad faith negotiations. Roch Lapensée, head of the Security Services Employees Association (SSEA), which represents more than 200 House security officers, said the employer, the […]
‘It’s our workplace and our home,’ Parliamentarians to be consulted on massive renovations to iconic Centre Block over next decade
House Speaker Geoff Regan and other officials in charge of the Centre Block building’s renovation say Parliamentarians will be consulted on the design of the building, but a formal structure for such consultations has yet to be figured out as the iconic building closes for more than a decade. Members of the Procedure and House Affairs […]
As tax season nears, feds freeze Phoenix system changes to help issue proper income slips
The government official in charge of fixing the troubled Phoenix pay system says his department has a “detailed operational plan” that will mean Phoenix will properly print T4 slips this year, after years of public servants faced with inaccurate income statements pulling their hair out during tax season. Preparations by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) […]
Feds’ opening offer in contract talks an ‘insult,’ would put 90,000 bureaucrats in a virtual wage freeze: PSAC
The government’s initial offer to four of the core public service groups currently negotiating new contracts is an “insult” that would put them in a virtual two-year wage freeze, says Public Service Alliance of Canada national president Chris Aylward. PSAC has asked for a 3.75 per cent raise, and while the 0.75 per cent economic increase […]
‘I think I’m having withdrawal pains already’: Centre Block’s denizens prepare for the big, historic, and emotional move
Packing for any move can be a meticulous thing. Piles of papers and books and memories have to be sorted through, deciding what to take and what to toss. Artwork and furniture has to be carefully catalogued and wrapped, ensuring precious items arrive safely in new homes. It’s much the same for the remaining occupants […]
PSAC asks for 3.75 per cent pay hike, as contract talks kick into high gear
The largest federal public service union is asking for a 3.75 per cent annual raise for its four largest bargaining groups as it negotiates a new three-year contract with the government—more than their opening bid in the last round of contract talks. In 2014, the Public Service Alliance of Canada asked for a three per […]
More reporters ought to cover the public service
News of cuts to the iPolitics newsroom emerged earlier this month. The online political news operation saw five people laid off after Torstar Corp. bought it in October. Those laid off included Kathryn May, who covered the public service. Ms. May has for years diligently and intelligently focused her reporting on the federal public service. […]
Canada making real procurement progress, but still falling short
Canada is once again under fire for not spending enough on defence. At the NATO Parliamentary Assembly meetings in Halifax this past week, an American congressional delegate called Canada out for not having a plan to spend two per cent of GDP on defence. In response, Canadian officials referred to the spending increase baked into […]
