New science policy a good first step, but scientists not fully off leash
On Monday, the Liberals rolled out a new policy, which, on its surface, aims to loosen the tongues of federal scientists, who complained of being “muzzled” under the previous Conservative government. And it wasn’t just sour grapes, either. The previous federal information commissioner, Suzanne Legault, said earlier this year that following an investigation stemming from […]
Senate report on Phoenix ‘failure’ calls for strong public oversight of feds’ spending, future payroll plans
The Senate Finance Committee is calling for Parliament to have a keen eye on what the federal government is doing to stabilize the “failed” Phoenix pay system and how it will move away from the platform going ahead. Published July 31, the Senate’s report on the Phoenix pay system is the latest study in recent […]
Centre Block occupants prepare for summer clear-out
Plans are underway for those who call Centre Block their second home to start the long goodbye. As part of the phased-move approach that will eventually see the iconic Parliament Hill landmark shut down for a decade or more, Parliamentarians with offices in Centre Block are preparing to move into new accommodations this summer. Last […]
High-level bureaucrat’s public sector exit prompts shuffle among Phoenix fixers
Assistant deputy minister Danielle May-Cuconato has left the federal public service, forcing a bureaucratic shake-up in the team tasked with fixing the troubled Phoenix pay system. Ms. May-Cuconato left the public service in late June after a long career as a political staffer and public servant. Among other jobs, she was vice-president of corporate services […]
Feds silent on Phoenix damages, union members are ‘out of patience’
As the public service eagerly awaits a settlement on damages for the Phoenix pay system, Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada president Debi Daviau said she has been told the issue is on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s desk. “I hear that we’re waiting for a mandate, that the mandate’s with the prime minister […]
Where’s Wernick? Unions say PCO clerk should be more involved in Phoenix fix
The two largest federal public service unions are frustrated about what they say is Privy Council clerk Michael Wernick’s lack of involvement in fixing the Phoenix pay system, adding that his absence is particularly apparent in light of his recent comments about loosening the rules to fire public servants. But one expert says the top bureaucrat’s role […]
PS unions target Phoenix as next round of bargaining heats up
The Phoenix pay system is at the forefront of the minds of Public Service Alliance of Canada representatives as they ramp up the latest round of contract negotiations with the government, tabling four main demands so far related to the two-year-old payroll disaster. PSAC, which represents about 140,000 federal workers and is the largest public […]
Improve, then use, name-blind recruitment to boost Senate staff diversity: committee
A name-blind recruitment project could help improve Senate staff diversity, but only if done properly, according to the head of a Senate group studying employment equity in the Upper Chamber’s administration. In a report tabled June 21 with the Senate’s Internal Economy, Budgets, and Administration Committee—a powerful group of Senators that handles the Chamber’s legal […]
Public servants ‘pissed’ over PCO clerk’s call to look at loosening rules to fire them
If Privy Council Clerk Michael Wernick wants to make it easier to fire civil servants, he should start with the Phoenix pay system executives, say public sector unions ruffled by comments from the nation’s top bureaucrat that MPs should consider loosening the legislative rules around booting employees. Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) national president […]
Phoenix: just another symptom of centralization of power in Ottawa
The recent scathing indictment (“incomprehensible failure”) of the Phoenix pay system by the auditor general, Michael Ferguson, was heartwarming for me and others who have been “Phoenixed.” I was a victim of the Phoenix pay system in 2017. I reimbursed the government for more than $19,000 Phoenix overpaid me. Now I have joined the ranks […]
