Feds paid more than $40-million in 2016 to maintain vacant, partially vacant buildings
PARLIAMENT HILL—Vacant and partially vacant buildings owned by the federal government in the National Capital Region cost more than $40-million in upkeep costs in 2016, including maintenance and repairs, according to documents recently obtained by The Hill Times. There were 22 vacant or partially vacant federal buildings as of November 2016 in Ottawa, listed in […]
New report details millennials’ struggles to find stable employment in federal public service
The federal public service needs millennials, but millennials want something back in return—stable employment with sound benefits and good pensions. That’s among the takeaways of a new report from the Public Service Inter-Union Youth Caucus, based on a consultative event that took place with about 160 public servants in June. The report discussed some of […]
NDP MP crying foul after Languages Committee axes motion to delay new procurement system for interpreters
NDP MP François Choquette says he’s disappointed that the Liberals on the House Official Languages Committee voted down his motion calling for a delay to the implementation of a new procurement system for interpretation services until Procurement Minister Judy Foote appeared before the committee, arguing they had abandoned their government’s purported commitment to inclusive consultation. “I was stunned,” […]
New task force aims for diverse public service where everyone feels welcome
It’s important not only for the federal public service to be comprised of a fair representation of Canada’s various kinds of people, but also that these employees feel comfortable in their surroundings, says the head of Canada’s largest public service union. Robyn Benson, president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), said this is […]
Merit Canada lobbying to maintain secret ballot requirement for union certification: Sen. Runciman
Merit Canada, a group representing non-unionized construction companies, has been lobbying Senators recently about reversing a Liberal government initiative to repeal a law requiring secret ballots for the certification and decertification of unions in federally regulated workplaces, according to one Senator who met with a representative for the organization. The target of Merit Canada is […]
Competition to replace Canada’s fighter jets could take five years, says Defence Minister Sajjan
An open competition to select a new fighter jet to replace Canada’s entire fleet of aging Boeing CF-18 Hornets could take up to five years to complete—well after the next federal election—according to a timetable disclosed by Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan. Mr. Sajjan, while responding to questions about The Hill Times’ report this week that […]
“The feds are buying 18 Super Hornet fighter jets in the interim until a competition for the full fleet replacement is held. What do you think?”
Kate Purchase Liberal strategist “A modern fighter jet fleet is essential for defending our country and our sovereignty. Our fighter jets are an important part of our contribution to our international allies—especially our most important ally, the United States. “Last week, we announced our plan to launch, within the current mandate, an open and transparent […]
Set to be in full use in 2017, the Wellington Building dazzles
PARLIAMENT HILL—Under construction since 2010, the Wellington Building’s rehabilitation wrapped up earlier this fall, with its first occupants having moved in from the East Block in September. The building at 180 Wellington St. includes 70 MP offices, 10 committee rooms (three of which are multipurpose), eight MP meeting rooms, a new Library of Parliament branch […]
Public Services manages $18-billion in procurement every year
The following is an edited transcript of Public Services and Procurement Minister Judy Foote’s keynote address at the Canadian Aerospace Summit, Nov. 16, 2016. The Aerospace Summit is memorable for me because it was at last year’s summit that I gave my first speech as the newly-appointed, for all of one week, minister of Public […]
It’s a ‘pivotal moment,’ PIPSC says after feds finally ask public servants to help fix Phoenix pay problem
Months after the problem-plagued government’s rollout of its new Phoenix pay system, the federal government is now welcoming the help of public servants to get things back on track and the unions are calling it a “pivotal moment,” after arguing from the outset that federal employees were capable of doing the job themselves. The Public […]
