General item: Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates—March 22, 2023

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Opening statement

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

Standing Committee on Public Accounts
Supplementary Estimates (C)

March 22, 2023

(Word count: 631)

Good morning/afternoon,

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 to discuss Supplementary Estimates (C) for both Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) and Shared Services Canada (SSC).

To support our activities, we are requesting access to additional funding of $11.5 million for PSPC through Supplementary Estimates (C). SSC, for its part, has requested a total decrease of $15.1 million.

Specifically, Mr. Chair, PSPC is seeking access to $9.9 million to accommodate employees who provide pension services.

The department is also requesting $2.5 million to maintain the Controlled Goods Program and meet its commitments under the Enhanced Security Strategy for the examination, possession and transfer of controlled goods within Canada.

Among other amounts, the department also plans to transfer $2 million to Indigenous Services Canada to support Indigenous communities as they apply for funding for projects that can generate economic opportunities and benefits.

This transfer—in addition to the requirement that a minimum of 5% of the total value of federal contracts be held by businesses led by Indigenous peoples—will help us continue to walk the path of reconciliation.

Mr. Chair, our work to serve Canadians extends well beyond these initiatives.

Managing around $24 billion in procurements annually, PSPC continues to leverage its purchasing power to increase access to economic opportunity for a greater diversity of Canadians, including through the development of a Supplier Diversity Program.

In addition, we are advancing greening government initiatives for federal property and infrastructure. This includes leveraging the use of clean electricity and low-carbon products, as well as integrating energy reduction, waste reduction, and greenhouse gas reduction into all real property projects.

We also continue important work to rehabilitate the historic Parliamentary Precinct. That includes the redevelopment of Block 2, the city block in Ottawa bounded by Metcalfe, Wellington, O’Connor and Sparks streets.

And as public servants return to the office, the department continues to modernize workplaces to make them greener and better meet employees’ needs while lowering operating costs.

These are just a few of our priorities.

Moving back to Supplementary Estimates (C), Mr. Chair—SSC’s request will see reference levels decrease by $15.1 million through a number of transfers.

The department supports a public service that is responsive to the needs of Canadians through improved service delivery, increased productivity, and realized cost savings.

SSC is supporting other government departments with their projects as they deliver key government initiatives. These investments support government priorities through digital delivery of programs and services to Canadians.

Transfers from the department include $8.5 million to the Communications Security Establishment for cyber-related projects, providing enterprise end-to-end cybersecurity solutions, as well as for operating and developing the Secure Communications for National Leadership project providing national leaders access to secure communication technologies.

The department is also transferring $4.7 million to the Canada Border Services Agency for the Passenger Protection Program to introduce an automated Canadian no-fly list; and $1.1 million to Statistics Canada for the transfer of surplus for the 2021 Census of population project.

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

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

Thank you.

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