Feds eye March decision on replacing problem-plagued Phoenix payroll system

The government could replace the Phoenix payroll system in 2026-27, with officials deciding by March whether to greenlight the new Dayforce system depending on the outcome of testing.
Former top bureaucrat calls for major overhaul of the federal government

Ex-Privy Council clerk Michael Wernick argues that many of government structures are no longer fit for purpose.
Hiring IT contractors cost feds 22 per cent more than using public servants, PBO finds

Federal departments spent $2.66-billion on informatics services, including IT-related services, with more than half of the spending coming from five departments in 2022-23.
Procurement watchdog calls PSPC’s handling of interpreters’ contracts ‘unreasonable’

Ombud’s review of complaints says proposed changes would cut freelance interpreters’ number of billable hours, leading to less compensation for the same amount of work.
Procurement Canada spent $5.4-billion in 2023-24, but plans to shrink workforce in coming years

The department forecasts staffing will keep growing in the current year before declining by thousands of full-time equivalent roles in 2025-26.
Five big public service stories from 2024

Challenges like the deficit, threats from the incoming U.S. president, and strain on our federation will require the public service to adapt and be flexible.
Expanding AI in government operations, modernizing Service Canada sites among feds’ fiscal update’s public service-related measures

The Dec. 16 fall economic update offers no further details on planned savings tied to ‘natural attrition’ in the 2024 federal budget, but noted that effort ‘will begin showing results in 2025-26.’
‘Enough is enough’: Black federal civil servants, unions accuse Liberals of ‘wasting’ time on tackling anti-Black racism

Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said the call to designate Black people as a distinctive class under the Employment Equity Act is ‘under active consideration.’
Former Indigenous procurement auditor calls pledge to examine the program ‘hypocritical’ after feds were warned of issues for years

Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu says her department is working on a plan to conduct an extensive audit of the government’s Indigenous procurement program.
Some departments ‘stopping the clock’ to prevent contract workers from becoming permanent public service staff

Treasury Board President Anita Anand says she’s currently reviewing spending plans from her cabinet colleagues. But NDP MP Rachel Blaney said it’s ‘really important’ to know who is issuing directives to ‘stop the clock.’