‘Would not be wise to pursue austerity’ before recovery, says Kevin Page
Although there is a projected federal deficit of just under $350-billion for 2020-21, Canada’s former parliamentary budget officer Kevin Page said the government needs to think about spurring economic growth before thinking about austerity measures to cut down on government debt. In an emailed statement to The Hill Times, Mr. Page said he did not […]
When you win against Phoenix, it is but a Pyrrhic victory
OTTAWA—Three years ago this week, I said goodbye to the public service and began a new life as a weekly columnist for this newspaper. At the time, I wrote the following: “I do have good memories. … However (among other things), having to recently deal with $20,000 in Phoenix pay system overpayments sent a message: […]
PSAC reaches tentative deal with feds on Phoenix damages, wage increases
After nearly three weeks at the bargaining table, Canada’s largest federal public service union reached a tentative agreement with the government late on July 9, securing both wage increases and compensation for damages in connection to the problem-plagued Phoenix pay system. The deal was struck nearly four months after strike votes were suspended by the […]
Union heads worry too much left up to ‘discretion’ in public service back-to-workplace plan
Following weeks of consultation and the release of departmental guidelines on the easing of workplace restrictions for tens of thousands of public service workers, heads of federal departments and agencies are now planning for eventual increased access to federal worksites. But the president of Canada’s second-largest public service union says her organization was pushing for […]
Hard-hit Indigenous businesses looking to recoup past gains post-pandemic
Indigenous businesses made up a fast-growing part of the economy before the COVID-19 pandemic, but were often hit harder than most by the resulting shutdowns. Now, Indigenous business leader Tabatha Bull says those businesses can play a big role in getting the country back on track—with a little bit of help. “We’ve seen some real […]
Unions, Treasury Board in talks for public service’s return to workplace after three-month shutdown
Three months into the COVID-19 shutdown that’s seen government offices closed to all but critical workers and thousands of public servants working from home, union leaders say while there’s “no rush” to return to offices—arguing recent weeks have proven telework arrangements don’t hinder performance—they’ve been working closely with the Treasury Board to plan the re-opening […]
Now is the time to protect public services
Every year for one week, the federal government celebrates its more than 300,000 public service employees. It usually comes and goes without too much fanfare, but this year should be different. All Canadians should be encouraged to recognize the public sector workers helping our country weather the brutal impacts of COVID-19. PSAC members who live […]
‘Non-advertising’ hiring up due to feds’ new appointments policy, data shows
The new appointments policy allowing for greater flexibility in the hiring of federal public servants came into effect in April 2016, resulting in a greater number of “non-advertised” hiring compared to formal publicly advertised hiring processes and competitions. The Public Service Commission has reported on an overall increase in non-advertised appointments to 34 per cent […]
Feds seek logistics company to handle huge PPE imports
The federal government is looking for a business partner to handle the distribution of hundreds of shipping containers worth of personal protective equipment at a time, as it seeks to ramp up imports of equipment needed to fight the novel coronavirus. The government put out a tender notice on May 4 through its procurement website, […]
Senate playing catch-up on Centre Block renovation plans, but Red Chamber’s footprint to remain untouched
After a slow start to the year, Senators are playing catch-up on proposed plans for the Centre Block building’s renovation and construction of the final Visitors’ Welcome Centre, with the Upper Chamber’s oversight subcommittee still being formed, but Alberta Senator Scott Tannas says he thinks so long as it gets underway soon, Senators will still […]
