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Hon. Filomena Tassi (Minister of Public Services and Procurement, Lib.)

May/19/22 7:03:48 p.m.
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Madam Chair, I am thankful for being invited to rise in the committee of the whole to speak to the main estimates for Public Services and Procurement. As a direct service provider, my department works to serve Canadians in support of the government's missions. My department is the government's central purchasing agent. It manages real property, acts as a treasurer and accountant, is responsible for pay and pension administration, advises on matters of integrity, and acts as the linguistic authority. It has a wide-ranging mandate that touches so many aspects of daily and long-term government operations. To deliver on this mandate, we have requested more than $4.6 billion in the 2022-23 main estimates for PSPC. As the central purchasing agent for our government, one of the department's most critical roles of late has been to support Canada's response to the ongoing pandemic, and we intend to keep that support going. I can tell members that our aggressive procurement approach over more than two years has ensured that Canada has a secure supply of vaccines and personal protective equipment. In fact, Canada is a world leader on this front. We have contracts in place with several vaccine suppliers and we have access to supplies of future formulations that will protect us against variants. I can also say that thanks to our long-term contracts with Medicom and 3M, tens of millions of N95 respirators are being produced right here at home every single month. It is because of the ground work that we laid at the beginning of the pandemic that Canada is in good standing to see it through to the end. As Canadians are keenly aware, the pandemic is not over yet and there is still more to do. For example, we are working to ensure that we have enough supply of rapid tests and therapeutics, as they remain in high demand across the globe. So far, Canada has produced more than 600 million rapid tests, and we have contracts in place for nine different therapeutic treatments, giving us access to 1.7 million treatment courses. I can assure the House that the department will continue to deliver for Canadians as we work to finish the fight against COVID. As members well know, the pandemic is not the only crisis we are dealing with. Every day, we learn more about the horrors unfolding in Ukraine following Russia's unprovoked and unjustifiable attack. We know that it is essential for all democratic nations to stand united in our support of the Ukrainian people and Ukrainian sovereignty. That is precisely what our government is doing. PSPC continues to provide logistical and other support to ensure that Canada's support and assistance are received by those who need them. On the domestic front, defence procurement and defence contract management are important parts of my mandate, and I am honoured to be leading on this front during this crucial time as Canada's defence policy evolves in a rapidly changing world. We continue to make progress on our defence procurements. That includes our government's work to procure 88 advanced fighter jets to replace our aging fleet of fighters. The purchase of new jets represents the most significant investment in the Royal Canadian Air Force in more than 30 years. Since day one, our government has been focused on steering a process that is truly competitive. That is what we have done because we know that it is the right way to get the best value for Canadians and to make sure our defence needs are properly met. Following a rigorous evaluation of the proposals, the government has entered into the finalization phase of the process with the United States government and Lockheed Martin. This is an important milestone in the procurement process, and I can report that we are on track to reaching an agreement later this year, with the delivery of aircraft potentially as early as 2025. We also continue to work with our partners to renew the fleets of the Canadian Coast Guard and the Royal Canadian Navy. Despite the immense pressures on global supply chains, we are making progress on shipbuilding and revitalizing the industry in Canada. There is no doubt that the government's purchasing power is an important lever and we are using it to drive economic prosperity, but we must make sure that prosperity is inclusive for all Canadians. That is why we have recently launched a supplier diversity action plan, which includes pilot projects to increase the participation of under-represented groups in federal procurement. An example of this is our Black business procurement pilot project, which has led our government to awarding a series of contracts. We received important feedback from the community about the process so we can improve it going forward. Our goal here is to help remove barriers to full participation in procurement for all suppliers. We also continue to walk the path of reconciliation by leading in the implementation of a requirement to ensure that a minimum of 5% of the value of federal contracts is held by businesses that are led by and employ first nations, Inuit and Métis people. With our purchasing power comes other responsibilities, such as doing our part to tackle forced labour around the world. I know that all members would agree that we must do everything we can to eradicate this abhorrent practice. That is why our government has updated the federal code of conduct for procurement to clearly outline Canada's expectations for suppliers when it comes to human and labour rights. As of November 2021, all of our goods-related contracts now contain anti-forced labour clauses. That means the government can terminate contracts when there is credible information that goods have been produced in whole or in part by forced labour or human trafficking. The department has done other important work, including major projects in the national capital region. That includes replacing the Alexandra Bridge and implementing a long-term, integrated, interprovincial crossing plan. It is an endeavour led by the National Capital Commission, which is part of my portfolio. Of course, we are also working on the renovation and rehabilitation of the Parliamentary Precinct. Just outside of these doors, we are working to modernize and preserve the heart of Canada's democracy and to keep it a place that can be enjoyed by all Canadians. Our work in this area expands beyond Parliament Hill and its historic buildings. On Monday, I had the pleasure of announcing the winner of the design competition for the city block that faces Parliament on Confederation Boulevard known as “Block Two”. Renewing the Parliamentary Precinct is an enormous undertaking that will result in an integrated parliamentary campus while moving us toward carbon neutrality and climate resiliency. Of course, greening all of our operations across government will support Canada's commitments to fighting climate change. Our energy services acquisition program is an excellent example of progress my department has made when it comes to greening government. Under the program, we are modernizing the district energy systems that heat and cool 80 buildings in the national capital region. I am happy to report that we have already cut greenhouse gas emissions by 57% from the baseline year of 2005, and we are on track to meet our goal of net zero emissions by 2030. These many initiatives are made possible by Canada's hard-working public servants here in the national capital region and across the country. They deserve to be paid accurately and on time. I also want this committee to know that we continue our efforts to resolve the backlog of pay transactions and stabilize pay operations. At the same time, Shared Services Canada is advancing work on the next generation of human resources and pay solutions: one that is flexible, modern and integrated. Shared Services Canada is also working to provide public servants with modern tools and deliver digital services to Canadians that are secure, reliable and easy to use anywhere. While not covered in the main estimates, Shared Services Canada is an important part of my portfolio, and like PSPC, it plays a vital role in supporting government operations. Also in my portfolio is Canada Post Corporation, and I want to note for the committee and all Canadians my appreciation of postal workers. Despite hardships brought on by the pandemic over the past two years, our dedicated postal workers have continued to provide high-quality service across the country. Indeed, all public servants have stepped up since COVID-19 hit our shores to get through to the other side of the pandemic and to keep the Government of Canada running. I am so honoured and humbled to lead such a talented team, and I know that we will be able to build on our accomplishments and achieve great things for Canadians. I have touched on only a fraction of the important work happening under my portfolio of Public Services and Procurement Canada. I am happy to take the committee's questions regarding the main estimates for my department.

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