PPS likely to have eyes on Hill vaccine mandate, with Senate leaders soon to meet
The Parliamentary Protective Service will likely be tasked with checking for proof of vaccination as part of the House of Commons’ new mandate, according to union heads, the details of which are still being ironed out as Senate leaders are soon to meet, with contemplation of a vaccination policy of their own on the agenda. […]
‘It just seems so rushed’: federal public service unions express concerns over government’s call for workers to be vaccinated by end of month
Three of Canada’s federal public service unions representing hundreds of thousands of employees have all expressed concerns over the federal government’s announcement on Oct. 6 that all public service workers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the end of the month. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Papineau, Que.), alongside Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister […]
Indigenous public servants pursue class-action lawsuit against feds for harassment, discrimination in workplace
Systemic racism in federal Indigenous departments and agencies has led to human rights and Charter violations, allege two First Nations public servants—one current, one former—pursuing a multi-million-dollar class-action lawsuit against the federal government. A statement of claim—the opening salvo for a possible class-action suit—outlining the experiences of lead plaintiffs Yvette Zentner and Letitia Wells was […]
Wellington Street Ottawa-Gatineau LRT crossings ‘not feasible without mitigation measures,’ says PSPC
A proposal to create a light rail transit system in Gatineau that could cross along Wellington Street in Ottawa would cause several “structural, security, and traffic issues for the Judicial Precinct and Parliamentary Precinct,” according to Public Services and Procurement Canada. Gatineau’s transit agency, the Société de transport de l’Outaouais (STO), had been studying various […]
Feds expanding NextGen pay system testing to larger, ‘challenging’ Fisheries Department as exploratory phase ends
The federal government’s Next Generation HR and Pay project, meant to eventually replace the problem-plagued Phoenix pay system, is set to be expanded for testing to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, as well as to the Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions. The team spearheading the project, also known […]
Shaping Canada’s future by investing in its past
On June 17, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) provided updates on the progress of the largest and most complex heritage restoration project in Canada. Since December 2018, Parliament Hill’s Centre Block has been closed to make way for a visitor welcome complex and the rehabilitation and retrofit of Canada’s most iconic heritage building. The […]
Skylights and a Charter display: diving into plans for the Centre Block project
Public Services and Procurement Canada recently announced its cost and time estimates for completion of the Centre Block project—$4.5- to $5-billion by 2030-2031—and with it, made public a number of planned design features for the first time, including a first-ever display of the Charter of Rights, a change of location for the cabinet room, and […]
Centre Block reno, welcome centre construction pegged at upwards of $5-billion by PSPC, to finish by 2030-31
The massive project to restore and modernize Parliament Hill’s focal point building, the Centre Block, and build a new underground welcome centre complex is expected to cost between $4.5- and $5-billion in all, and be completed by 2030-31, according to long-awaited cost and time estimates released by Public Services and Procurement Canada on June 17. […]
New vision for National Press Building requested after years of decline
The National Press Building, once a social hub, has lost many of tenants over the years, but a new vision document in the works aims to revitalize it for the future, Parliamentary Press Gallery executives say. Located at 150 Wellington St., just across from the West Block, the National Press Building started its life as […]
CBSA workers to start strike votes this week amid Canada-U.S. talks on easing border restrictions
Canada Border Service Agency workers, who have not had a new contract in just under three years, are set to kick off strike votes this week at the same time that Canadians continue to eagerly await the loosening of long-standing border restrictions put in place to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The 9,000-member strong union, which […]
