House to decide next month if Centre Block will make its massive move out this summer
The House Board of Internal Economy will make a final decision on June 14 on whether or not the move out of Centre Block and into the West Block will take place this summer as originally planned, according to Government House Leader Bardish Chagger, a member of the powerul management board. There’s similar uncertainty in […]
Sajjan to unveil 20-year defence spending plan this spring; says active cybersecurity powers from Bill C-59 will be checked
Canada’s Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan has a plan. The rookie minister’s Strong, Secured, Engaged plan, unveiled last June, will provide the sprawling Department of National Defence and all its components with a strategy for the next 20 years. Under the plan, annual defence spending is expected to grow from $18.9-billion in 2016-17 to $32.7-billion by […]
In abandoning original shipbuilding strategy, feds risk fate of workers
The national shipbuilding strategy was envisioned to be a new way of procurement for the Government of Canada to supply the Royal Canadian Navy with the ships a modern 21st-century navy needed. It was also to be a way to bolster a domestic shipbuilding industry, to not only create good paying jobs with various skill […]
As bargaining restarts, largest federal union threatens to campaign against Liberals if talks go south
The Public Service Alliance of Canada has set bargaining dates for groups representing the majority of its federal workers to negotiate their next contract, and newly minted national president Chris Aylward says if the government doesn’t fairly negotiate, it will be more ammunition for PSAC to use, should they campaign against the Liberals in 2019. […]
Under pressure, department stops study into ‘greening’ Centennial Flame
Following outcry from the natural gas industry and from many Canadians, Public Services and Procurement Canada says it has snuffed out a study exploring more environmentally friendly options to replace the natural gas used keep alight Parliament Hill’s Centennial Flame. “PSPC is not going forward with a study to consider options at this time,” said […]
Senate picks new post-Phoenix payroll provider
The Senate has signed a contract with a new payroll administrator for more than $902,000 over five years, taking a substantial step in ditching the problem-plagued Phoenix pay system. Ontario Liberal Senator Jim Munson (Ottawa-Rideau Canal), a deputy chair of the powerful Senate Internal Economy, Budgets, and Administration Committee, broke the news Wednesday at a media availability […]
‘Disturbing level’ of bullying, intimidation in public service must be rooted out, says PCO clerk
Canada’s top bureaucrat says while the kind of sexual harassment that sparked the #MeToo movement exists within the public service and needs to be addressed, there is a “disturbing level” of other harassment such as bullying, intimidation, and conduct issues. “We need to get to the bottom of where that’s coming from and how to […]
‘Too many unknowns’ to decide on summer move, Senators told, waiting could cost $11-million per month
Senators are as unsure as their House of Commons counterparts whether their temporary new home will be ready in time for a planned summer move. Any delay could cost $11-million per month, says the department in charge of the construction. During an April 19 Senate Internal Economy, Budgets, and Administration Committee meeting, Conservative Senator Scott […]
Feds sign three more contracts with unions, final four deals held up at labour board
Unions representing the foreign service, border guards, and correctional officers are breathing a sigh of relief, albeit a short one, having recently signed contracts before the next scheduled round of bargaining ramps up once again. The latest agreements bring the total number of negotiated contracts between Treasury Board and its federal employees to 23 out […]
Les Linklater’s job is to fix Phoenix—including for himself
Les Linklater’s job leading the team fixing the Phoenix pay system can be frustrating, daunting, and pressure-filled, but he empathizes with public servants’ payroll frustrations because he’s dealt with them firsthand. His base salary hasn’t been affected, he said, but he has issues related to parking and benefits. “I know they will catch up, but […]
