General items: Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates—November 24, 2022

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Opening statement

By: The Honourable Helena Jaczek
Minister of Public Services and Procurement

Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates
Supplementary Estimates (B)

November 24, 2022

(Word count: 802)

Good afternoon, Mr. Chair, committee members.

Let me begin by acknowledging that we are gathered on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg peoples.

With me today are:

I am pleased to be here for the first time as Minister of Public Services and Procurement to discuss Supplementary Estimates B for both Public Services and Procurement Canada and Shared Services Canada.

And let me also say that I am honoured to continue the work of my predecessor on the wide-ranging mandates of both departments.

To support our activities, we are requesting access to additional funding of $192.2 million for Public Services and Procurement Canada and $8.5 million dollars for Shared Services Canada through Supplementary Estimates B.

Specifically, Public Services and Procurement Canada is seeking access to $135.9 million to support Canada’s ongoing response to COVID-19. The department has aggressively secured services, supplies and vaccines to keep Canadians safe through this time of crisis. We will continue that vital work as we strive to emerge from the pandemic.

Mr. Chair, the department is also seeking access to $20.5 million, to help continue to stabilize the government’s pay system and resolve the backlog of pay transactions.

In addition, the department is seeking access to $17.4 million to continue supporting our e-procurement solution that will bring more of our procurement processes online, making them easier and more accessible to suppliers.

This is an important part of our plan to modernize government procurement.

As part of those efforts, the department has also launched a Supplier Diversity Action Plan, with an aim to increase the participation of under-represented groups in federal procurement.

And I’ll note that we continue to walk the path of reconciliation, by requiring that a minimum of 5% of the total value of federal contracts be held by businesses led by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.

Mr. Chair, through Supplementary Estimates B, PSPC is also seeking access to $10.1 million to support the planning and implementation for critical infrastructure projects.

These projects include the rehabilitation of the Supreme Court of Canada Building, replacing the Alexandra Bridge, and implementing a Long-Term Interprovincial Crossings Plan, an endeavour led by the National Capital Commission.

Mr. Chair, in addition to the initiatives for which Public Services and Procurement Canada is seeking access to funding through Supplementary Estimates B, the department has other important work underway.

We are making progress on the procurement of 88 advanced fighter jets for the Royal Canadian Air Force. The government continues to work on the finalization phase of this complex procurement and we are on track to award a contract very soon.

At the same time, we are working with our partners to continue progress on Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy.

Due to the pandemic and other global events, the shipbuilding industry, like so many others, is facing significant challenges—such as rising costs of materials, supply chain disruptions, and labour shortages.

Nonetheless, we are delivering on the strategy, and we remain committed to supporting a revitalized domestic shipbuilding industry that meets the needs of the Canadian Coast Guard and the Royal Canadian Navy.

As you know, we are also working to rehabilitate the Parliamentary Precinct. And the department continues to modernize our real property portfolio—to lower operating costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while providing public servants with workspaces that meet their modern needs.

Like Public Services and Procurement Canada, Shared Services Canada plays a vital role in supporting the government’s operations, providing public servants with modern tools and Canadians with secure and reliable digital services.

Shared Services Canada’s request is for a net increase of $8.5 million through Supplementary Estimates B, increasing its available funding from $2,881.1 million to $2,889.6 million, net of revenues.

Shared Services Canada is seeking $18.2 million in new funding, and they are also requesting transfers with other government departments resulting in a total net decrease of $9.7 million.

The largest transfers include $7.7 million to the Department of National Defence for the continual operation of its command and control systems; and, $2.0 million to the Canada Border Services Agency for the Passenger Protect Program, and the security screening automation project.

The new funding will support the costs of providing core information technology services to Government of Canada employees.

Mr. Chair, I have touched upon only some of the important work of my broad and diverse portfolio.

I am pleased to answer any question you may have regarding Supplementary Estimates B for both departments, as well as any other initiatives we have underway.

Thank you, and I look forward to working with this committee.

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