Senator Gold: Thank you, senator. No, I do not know. My understanding is that they are running pilots and tests while, of course, the other system is still functioning as the pay system. I do not know at what stage the transition will be possible. I’ll make inquiries.

[Translation]

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question, senator. The government does recognize that these longstanding issues have been causing stress and hardship for employees and their families. The government is committed to fixing this. I’m advised that the government has recently seen an increase in new transactions received at the pay centre, though the majority are processed within service standards. Pay teams prioritize cases with financial implications for employees.

The government has taken significant steps to help stabilize the Phoenix pay system and continues to work with all stakeholders, including unions and employees, on the way forward. To be sure, there is still work to do. However, the government continues to progress toward pay stabilization to ensure that federal employees across the country are paid accurately and on time. The government continues to focus on addressing outstanding transactions while also working toward processing new transactions within service standards 95% of the time.

Finally, the government is also working toward the implementation of the next-generation pay system. This includes running pilot projects and tests to ensure the new system will provide pay to public servants accurately and on time, which is their right and due. This will take time, and Minister Tassi is focused on moving it forward.

Senator M. Deacon: Thank you for that response.

Regarding the last part to do with the new system and implementation, piloting, testing and starting, could you please elaborate? I think I heard most of what you said, but I believe the new system is running in parallel while finishing off the old system. Do you have a sense of, with fair training and pilot time, how long it might be before the new system is running independently of the old?

Hon. Marty Deacon: Honourable senators, my question is for the Government Representative in the Senate. Senator Gold, it has been over six years since the Phoenix pay system has been rolled out, yet it appears that too many public servants still exist in a state of uncertainty over their pay. Some are still not being paid at all, and some are being overpaid. Some were overpaid and paid back the difference and yet still have money being clawed back. Six years on, it is unacceptable that people still have to live through these uncertain times.

When will the replacement system be online and operative? In the meantime, what is the government doing to assist those still living in this state of uncertainty?