Government Operations and Estimates

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (OGGO) met to discuss the comprehensive expenditure review (CER) and its impact on various departments. The committee heard from representatives from FINTRAC, the Department of National Defence (DND), Shared Services Canada (SSC), and Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC). The main focus was on how these departments plan to achieve savings and improve efficiency while maintaining essential services. Philippe Blanchette from FINTRAC explained that they are aiming to find savings without cutting operational programs, focusing on corporate expenditures and modernizing their approach to combatting financial crimes. Jonathan Moor from DND outlined their plan to save money by retiring older fleets, streamlining properties, and modernizing internal processes, emphasizing that no job losses are expected. Tamara Jansen (CPC) questioned FINTRAC's ability to combat organized crime with budget cuts, while Vince Gasparro (Lib) highlighted the importance of FINTRAC and the new financial crimes agency working together to combat illicit financing. Scott Davis from Shared Services Canada discussed how they plan to achieve savings by standardizing technology, consolidating contracts, and reducing reliance on external consultants. Michael Hammond from PSPC detailed their plan to reduce spending and full-time equivalent positions through various measures, including workforce adjustment and attrition. Kelly Block (CPC) questioned PSPC on the impact of these cuts on different departments and regions. The committee also discussed the "Buy Canadian" procurement policy, with a motion passed to study its implementation and effectiveness. Members raised concerns about the impact of budget cuts on service delivery, the reliance on U.S. digital service providers, and the need for legislative action to combat fraud. The committee requested additional information from several witnesses, including a list of cloud and AI vendors from Shared Services Canada and details on fleet retirements and property decommissioning from DND. The committee agreed to invite the president and CEO of Canada Post to a future meeting to address concerns raised by constituents.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (OGGO) held a meeting to discuss the Comprehensive Expenditure Review (CER) and its impact on Library and Archives Canada (LAC) and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). Leslie Weir, the Librarian and Archivist of Canada, explained how LAC plans to cut 15% of its budget, which includes discontinuing a program that helps communities preserve historical documents, reducing funding for access to information requests, and cutting staff. These cuts will mean about 161 positions will be reduced by 2029. Committee members were concerned about how these cuts would affect the ability of citizens and journalists to access information. Later in the meeting, Cliff Groen, Associate Deputy Minister for ESDC, discussed how ESDC plans to reduce its funding by $780.5 million by 2028-29. This includes cutting over 5,300 positions. Groen emphasized that these cuts would not affect frontline services to Canadians and that ESDC is working to become more efficient by using digital services and AI. Committee members questioned how these cuts would affect service delivery and whether executives should still receive bonuses despite the cuts and existing backlogs. During questioning, committee members raised concerns about backlogs in access to information requests at LAC and delays in services like employment insurance and disability reconsiderations at ESDC. They questioned whether the cuts would further worsen these issues. Witnesses defended the cuts by saying they were focusing on efficiency and prioritizing frontline services. They also mentioned efforts to digitize records and use technology to improve service delivery. Committee members also inquired about executive bonuses, with some questioning why so many executives were receiving bonuses despite the departments not meeting all of their targets. Witnesses explained that the bonuses were part of an "at-risk pay" system based on performance and that only a small percentage of executives received the highest bonus. The committee also discussed the impact of the cuts on staff morale and the use of outsourcing. The committee agreed to allocate funds for upcoming meetings with the procurement ombudsman and for additional meetings on the CER. The committee decided to cancel their next meeting due to a scheduling conflict with the economic statement.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates met to discuss a report on federal contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses. The Procurement Ombud, Alexander Jeglic, presented the findings of his office's review of the Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business (PSIB). The review found that the government lacks a clear policy for Indigenous procurement, leading to inconsistent practices and weak oversight. Jeglic made three recommendations to fix these issues. Jeglic explained that the current system overstates the economic benefits to Indigenous businesses. He said that the way the government reports its progress toward a 5% target for contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses isn't accurate. The report also found that departments often didn't check if businesses were actually Indigenous-owned and that there was no way to ensure that Indigenous businesses were doing a meaningful amount of the work on these contracts. Committee members expressed concerns about the lack of accountability and the fact that these issues have been ongoing for many years. Jeglic recommended developing a clear, government-wide Indigenous procurement policy, creating a way for Indigenous suppliers to complain about unfair contracts, and improving the way the government reports on its progress. Committee members discussed the importance of economic reconciliation with Indigenous communities and asked about the impact of these contracts on job creation. Jeglic emphasized that Indigenous procurement is a powerful tool for economic reconciliation, but only if it's done right. The committee plans to follow up on the report's recommendations and monitor progress in the coming months. Jeglic will provide an update in six months.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (OGGO) met to discuss government spending and budget cuts. Committee members questioned officials from the Department of Finance about the recent spending review, focusing on how cuts were decided and whether they considered the return on investment. They also discussed the impact of global economic shocks on Canada and the government's plans for economic resilience. The committee also heard from the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers (UCCO) about the impact of budget cuts on their members and the services they provide. Conservative committee members expressed concern that the spending review would not reduce the deficit and questioned whether the government was prioritizing spending on interest payments over healthcare. They also raised concerns about cuts to FINTRAC, the agency responsible for tracking money laundering. Liberal committee members focused on the government's plans to make the economy more resilient and to invest in capital projects. They also emphasized that the spending review was not about austerity but about reallocating resources to higher-priority areas. Nick Leswick, Deputy Minister of the Department of Finance, and Thomas Larouche, Director General, Budget and Government Operations, Department of Finance, answered questions about the spending review and the government's economic plans. Sharon DeSousa, National President of PSAC, and Frédérick Lebeau, National President of UCCO, spoke about the impact of budget cuts on their members and the services they provide. DeSousa expressed concern that the cuts would lead to slower service delivery and reduced administrative capacity. Lebeau raised concerns about the safety and security of correctional officers due to cuts in staffing and resources. The committee discussed the impact of the cuts on various government departments, including the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Health Canada, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Concerns were raised about the potential for reduced hours of operation at border crossings, weakened regulation of pharmaceutical drugs, and slower responses to food-borne illness outbreaks. The committee also discussed the use of technology, such as AI and drones, and whether it could replace human workers. The committee plans to continue its study of the comprehensive expenditure review and to hear from a broader range of voices, including unions and stakeholders from across the country. The committee will also meet with the Procurement Ombudsman to discuss indigenous procurement and with officials from the Treasury Board Secretariat and the Transportation Safety Board as part of the main estimates.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations met to discuss the 2025-26 supplementary estimates, which outline proposed government spending. Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali presented the estimates, totaling $5.4 billion in proposed spending, offset by a $1.4 billion decrease in other areas. Key areas of investment included the Canadian Armed Forces, Indigenous priorities, and veterans' programs. A new Treasury Board central vote was proposed to address urgent defense needs. Ali emphasized the government's commitment to transparency and responsible spending. During the meeting, committee members questioned Ali about the national deficit, debt, and the progress of the comprehensive expenditure review aimed at finding savings. Conservative MP Jeremy Patzer criticized Ali for not knowing key financial figures and raised concerns about increasing debt. Ali maintained that the focus of the meeting was on the supplementary estimates, not broader economic projections. Liberal MP Vince Gasparro highlighted Canada meeting NATO's defense spending target and discussed the red tape review aimed at supporting small businesses. Bloc Québécois MP Marie-Hélène Gaudreau questioned the allocation of funds to specific programs like Cúram and Phoenix, as well as the budget for Veterans Affairs. Conservative MP Tamara Jansen raised concerns about a $1 billion fund for the Canadian Armed Forces with limited details on its planned use. Liberal MP Iqra Khalid inquired about the impact of budget cuts on service delivery and the early retirement incentive for public servants. Secretary of the Treasury Board Bill Matthews provided additional details on various topics, including the Coast Guard's accounting towards the NATO target, the structure of performance pay in the public service, and the government's efforts regarding whistleblower protection. He also addressed concerns about the transparency of spending and the reallocation of funds. The committee agreed to invite the procurement ombudsman to a future meeting to discuss a report on indigenous studies. The committee agreed to follow up on several items, including providing more details on the CBC's planned spending, the regional impact of job cuts, and the process for reviewing partisan slogans in public information. The meeting adjourned after a lengthy discussion on government spending and accountability.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates met to discuss the impact of recent budget cuts to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and their effect on agricultural research. Representatives from various agricultural organizations, including the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM), the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission (Sask Wheat), the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association, and Western Crop Innovations, testified about the importance of agricultural research and the potential negative consequences of the cuts. They emphasized that these cuts would not only affect research but also the ability to develop new crop varieties and maintain Canada's competitiveness in the global market. Speakers expressed concern about the lack of consultation with stakeholders before the cuts were announced and the potential long-term impacts on food security and the rural economy. Darren Steinley from SARM highlighted the critical role of research farms in Saskatchewan for practical agricultural solutions and their contribution to the economic health of rural communities. Jocelyn Velestuk from Sask Wheat emphasized the importance of AAFC as a key partner for Saskatchewan farmers and the potential impact of the cuts on wheat breeding programs. Daryl Fransoo and Darcy Pawlik from the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association stressed the need for a clear strategy and meaningful consultation before implementing cuts, as well as the importance of maintaining Canada's agricultural productivity and competitiveness. Lori Oatway from Western Crop Innovations spoke about the impact of the cuts on research connectivity, institutional memory, and collaborative trust, as well as the potential long-term consequences for farmers and the agricultural sector. Committee members questioned the witnesses about the criteria used for the cuts, the lack of consultation, and the potential impact on various aspects of agriculture, including varietal registration, agronomy, and irrigation. Witnesses expressed concerns about the disproportionate impact of the cuts on rural communities and the lack of a clear plan for the future of agricultural research in Canada. A motion was introduced to undertake a study of no more than four additional meetings of hearings on the impacts of cuts to the public service, with particular attention to the role of external contracting. The committee approved a budget for supplementary estimates and discussed future meeting schedules.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (OGGO) met to discuss supplementary spending requests from Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) and Shared Services Canada (SSC), as well as the government's Comprehensive Expenditure Review (CER). PSPC requested additional funds for advertising, pension services, defense procurement reform, and the public lands for homes plan. SSC sought more money for cybersecurity and increased demand for digital services, particularly from the Department of National Defence. Witnesses from public sector unions expressed concerns about the impact of the CER on public services, including potential cuts to frontline services and loss of expertise. Arianne Reza, Deputy Minister at PSPC, detailed the department's funding requests and efforts to streamline processes. Scott Jones, President of SSC, outlined the department's role in digital modernization and cybersecurity. Gregory Harlow, President of the Association of Justice Counsel, raised concerns about cuts to the Bureau of Pensions Advocates, which represents veterans. Sean O'Reilly, President of The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC), warned about the risks of cutting expertise in areas like food inspection and rail safety. Committee members questioned the witnesses about the rationale for the spending requests and the potential impact of the CER. Some members expressed concern about the government's reliance on external consultants and the lack of consultation with unions. The committee voted on the supplementary estimates, with most votes passing on division, indicating disagreement among committee members. The committee agreed to reschedule a witness from the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) due to technical difficulties.

The Government Operations and Estimates Committee met to discuss the impact of budget cuts on Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC). The main focus was on the Bureau of Pensions Advocates (BPA), which helps veterans appeal decisions about their benefits. Toufic El-Daher, National President of the Union of Veterans' Affairs Employees, testified that the BPA is facing a significant workforce reduction due to the end of temporary funding, which will negatively affect services for veterans. He emphasized that the demand for veterans' services is increasing, and cutting funding would be counterproductive. He requested that the committee help get $9.5 million in funding to extend the contracts of term employees. Committee members expressed concerns about the potential impact on veterans, including longer wait times and reduced access to justice. Some members questioned whether the cuts were consistent with the government's commitment to supporting veterans. Mr. El-Daher stated that the cuts would result in veterans waiting three to five years for their cases to be heard. He also noted that senior management at Veterans Affairs Canada did not submit a request to Treasury Board to extend contracts, despite the growing backlog of cases. Liberal committee members highlighted investments in Veterans Affairs Canada and questioned whether the cuts would affect programs and services. Mr. El-Daher acknowledged that programs and services would remain the same, but there would be fewer employees to help veterans, resulting in longer wait times. The committee also heard from Treasury Board officials regarding the comprehensive expenditure review and its impact on government departments. They stated that the goal was to reduce spending in some areas to invest more in others, and that departments were instructed to minimize the impact on services to Canadians. Treasury Board officials stated that departments were given criteria to follow when making cuts, including avoiding impacts on service delivery, health, safety, or legal obligations. They also mentioned that the government is aiming to reduce the size of the public service through attrition and voluntary departures. Committee members raised concerns about the potential impact of the cuts on rural areas, young people, and institutional knowledge. Treasury Board officials stated that they were taking steps to preserve youth and diversity in the workforce, as well as to maintain institutional knowledge through information management. Ultimately, the committee voted on a motion to recommend Jason Jacques as the permanent Parliamentary Budget Officer for a full seven-year term. The motion passed with a vote of 5 to 4.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates met to discuss supplementary budget estimates and a review of the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO). Jason Jacques, the Interim Parliamentary Budget Officer, presented a report on supplementary estimates, which outlined $4 billion in new budgetary spending. He also discussed an OECD review that ranked the PBO as a top institution and provided recommendations for improvement. Committee members questioned Jacques about the OECD's recommendations, particularly regarding parliamentary involvement in interim PBO appointments. Jacques agreed with the OECD's suggestion that legislative changes could improve the stability and perception of impartiality in the PBO. Members also discussed concerns about transparency in government spending, specifically regarding frozen allotments and a $1 billion loan to Canada Post. Some committee members expressed worry that the government was not providing enough detail on how funds would be spent, especially in areas like defense. The committee also heard from Scherie Nicol from the OECD, who presented the findings of their review of the PBO. Nicol highlighted the PBO's strengths and areas for improvement, including leadership appointments, access to information, and communication strategies. She emphasized the importance of safeguarding the PBO's independence and ensuring its continued effectiveness in a complex fiscal environment. The committee agreed to request the new PBO follow up on a request regarding defense spending.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (OGGO) held a meeting to discuss Canada Post's financial situation and transformation plans. Carrie Chisholm, Vice-President of Product Management and Customer Experience at Canada Post, presented information about the proposed changes to letter mail pricing and the need for additional government funding. Committee members questioned Chisholm about the impact of these changes on rural post offices, services for blind Canadians and libraries, and the overall sustainability of Canada Post. The committee also discussed the absence of Minister Lightbound to discuss supplementary estimates, with some members expressing disappointment and concern. Carrie Chisholm explained that Canada Post has been facing significant financial challenges due to declining letter mail volumes and increasing delivery costs. She highlighted the need for greater flexibility in letter mail pricing to align with modern needs and reduce reliance on taxpayer support. Chisholm also reassured the committee that Canada Post is committed to maintaining preferential rates for blind Canadians and libraries, regardless of proposed law changes. She emphasized the importance of consultations with municipalities and communities before implementing any changes to rural post offices or services. Committee members raised concerns about the potential closure of rural post offices and the impact on essential services for remote communities. Chisholm stated that Canada Post's transformation plan includes modernization of post offices to better reflect where Canadians live and shop, with a focus on prioritizing and protecting access to vital services in rural areas. She also mentioned the importance of the delivery accommodation program for people with reduced mobility and seniors. Members also questioned the timeline for implementing the transformation plan and the reasons for delays in government approval. The committee also discussed the Kaplan report, which described Canada Post as being in an "existential crisis" and "effectively insolvent." Members questioned Chisholm about the repayment of government loans and the measures being taken to ensure the financial sustainability of Canada Post. Chisholm stated that Canada Post is working closely with the government to implement a transformation plan that will address the corporation's financial challenges and reduce reliance on taxpayer funding. The committee requested that Canada Post provide additional information on the loan agreement and the details of the transformation plan. Ultimately, the committee expressed concerns about the absence of Minister Lightbound to discuss supplementary estimates, with some members expressing disappointment and concern. It was clarified that the Minister was on paternity leave. The committee agreed to reach out to the minister to see if a virtual option was available to engage with the committee.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates met to discuss parts of a proposed law related to the budget. The main topics were "regulatory sandboxes" and early retirement options for public servants. Regulatory sandboxes let the government test new rules for innovation before making them permanent. The early retirement plan would allow some public servants, like firefighters and border officers, to retire earlier with their full pension. The President of the Treasury Board, Shafqat Ali, explained the details of the proposed law. He said regulatory sandboxes could help Canada keep up with innovation and that the early retirement plan would help reduce the size of the public service without hurting employees. Other speakers included committee members Stephanie Kusie, who questioned the cost savings, and Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, who raised concerns about transparency and potential conflicts of interest with the regulatory sandboxes. Committee members discussed how the early retirement plan would work and how many public servants might take it. They also talked about how regulatory sandboxes would be used and what safeguards would be in place to protect the public interest. Some committee members expressed concerns about the lack of detail and potential for misuse of the regulatory sandboxes. The committee also discussed the process for submitting recommendations and amendments to the proposed law to the finance committee. The committee agreed on timelines for submitting recommendations on the proposed law. Analysts will provide a summary of evidence and recommendations, and members will submit their proposed recommendations to the clerk. The committee also heard from legislative experts about how to propose amendments to the proposed law at the finance committee.

The Canadian parliamentary committee met to discuss proposed changes to how the government buys things and how Canada Post works. Minister Lightbound explained that the proposed law, C-15, would help modernize government operations, support Canadian workers and businesses, and make important investments for the future. A key part of the discussion was about giving Canada Post more freedom to set postage rates, which they hope will make the postal service more financially stable. The committee also discussed how the government plans to buy more goods and services from Canadian companies. Committee members questioned Minister Lightbound about loans to Canada Post and the timeline for approving Canada Post's plan to improve its operations. Some members were concerned about whether the proposed changes would affect services for libraries and people who are blind. Minister Lightbound assured them that these services would not be impacted. There was also discussion about making sure small and medium-sized businesses benefit from government programs and contracts. The committee also heard from Secretary of State Fuhr and Mr. Guzman about the new Defence Investment Agency, which aims to make buying military equipment faster and more efficient. Mr. Guzman, the CEO of the agency, talked about his background in finance and how he plans to use his experience to improve the procurement process. Committee members asked about how the agency will work with other departments and whether it will prioritize Canadian companies when making purchases. Members raised concerns about the selection process of the CEO, potential conflicts of interest, and the due diligence process for awarding contracts. Secretary Fuhr explained that the agency is working to involve small and medium-sized businesses in the defence industry and to make sure Canadian companies benefit from government spending. The committee also discussed how the agency will work with international allies to buy equipment and support the Canadian defence industry. Overall, the meeting covered a range of topics related to government spending, procurement, and the operations of Canada Post and the Defence Investment Agency. Committee members raised important questions about accountability, transparency, and making sure that government programs benefit Canadians and Canadian businesses.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates met to discuss access to information and the role of the Information Commissioner. Commissioner Caroline Maynard spoke about her role in overseeing the federal access to information system, emphasizing its importance for transparency and accountability. She highlighted the need to protect the public's right to know, especially with government spending reviews and the spread of misinformation. Maynard also discussed the impact of a legislative amendment that gave her office the power to order institutions to comply with the Access to Information Act, noting that it has been used sparingly but effectively. She expressed concern about any measures that would weaken this power. Committee members questioned Maynard on various issues, including the deletion of electronic messages by government employees, the management of information, and the efficiency of the access to information process. Some members expressed concern about a policy allowing deletion of in-house chat posts within 15 days, fearing it could hinder transparency. Maynard acknowledged the importance of proper information management and the need for clear guidelines for employees. She also mentioned that her office has referred cases of intentional deletion of documents to the Attorney General. Maynard addressed questions about the ArriveCAN investigation, noting its complexity and ongoing nature. She also discussed the use of artificial intelligence in managing information and the need for a cultural shift towards greater openness within government. Several committee members raised concerns about delays in accessing information from the Privy Council Office and the potential for restrictions on citizens' rights to access information. The committee discussed the balance between transparency and the protection of sensitive information, particularly in the context of national security.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (OGGO) met to discuss proposed changes to regulations and early retirement options for public servants. The first part of the meeting focused on proposed law C-15, which would allow ministers to create "regulatory sandboxes." These sandboxes would let companies test new products or services with temporary exemptions from existing rules. Jenelle Power and Brennen Young from the Treasury Board explained that this would help regulators adapt to new technologies while protecting public safety. Committee members raised concerns about transparency and whether these sandboxes could be used to bypass important regulations. The second part of the meeting involved hearing from Sharon DeSousa and Liam McCarthy from the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC). They discussed the proposed early retirement incentive (ERI) for public servants and changes to pension rules for public safety workers. PSAC expressed concerns about potential job losses and the impact on public services. They also worried that the ERI might not be as good for workers as existing agreements. Committee members questioned how these changes would affect frontline services and whether there had been enough consultation with unions. Committee members voiced concerns about the lack of a clear definition of "public interest" in the proposed law, and how ministers would make decisions about exemptions. There were also questions about the potential for conflicts of interest. PSAC representatives highlighted the importance of consulting with workers and stakeholders before making changes to public services. They also shared concerns about the impact of job cuts on morale and service delivery. The committee plans to continue studying the proposed law C-15 and will also discuss ethical and transparency issues related to it at a future meeting. They will also hear from other witnesses, including the Information Commissioner of Canada, the President of the Treasury Board, and representatives from Canada Post. Committee members agreed to submit names for witnesses related to ethical concerns by February 5th.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (OGGO) met to discuss the Parliamentary Budget Officer's (PBO) recent analysis of the government's spending plans and fiscal outlook. The PBO, Jason Jacques, presented findings on reports related to Budget 2025, including an assessment of planned spending reductions and the $1 trillion investment commitment. Jacques also provided an administrative update, mentioning an upcoming OECD review of the PBO and a new policy on report revisions. He reiterated concerns about the government's debt-to-GDP fiscal anchor and definition of "capital". Committee members questioned Jacques and his team about the $1 trillion investment figure, with Conservative members expressing skepticism about how much of it was truly new investment. They also questioned the government's definition of capital investment, particularly the inclusion of corporate income tax credits. Liberal members defended the government's approach, citing the IMF's positive assessment of the Canadian economy and the importance of infrastructure investments. The Bloc Québécois raised concerns about the vagueness of the $1 trillion investment plan and its potential impact on voters' trust. The committee discussed the government's comprehensive expenditure review (CER) and its impact on service levels. There was debate about whether the government was being transparent about the cuts, with some members expressing concern that departments were not providing enough information to the PBO. The committee agreed to invite the President of the Treasury Board and the Red Tape Reduction Office to a future meeting to discuss the CER and related issues. Ultimately, the committee agreed to have the PBO provide quarterly updates on the government's progress and execution of its savings plans. They also requested the PBO to publish a report with all non-confidential information related to the government's savings plans. A motion was put forward to study clauses of proposed law C-15 and invite various ministers and organizations to speak on the matter, which was agreed to by the committee.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates met to discuss the future of Canada Post. Doug Ettinger, the President and CEO, along with Alexandre Brisson and Rindala El-Hage, explained Canada Post's proposed transformation plan to modernize the postal service and return it to financial stability. The plan includes increasing community mailboxes, modernizing post offices, and updating service standards for letter mail. They emphasized protecting postal services in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities. Ettinger stated that Canada Post is working to finalize agreements with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers and cannot disclose details until finalized. Committee members questioned Ettinger about the details of the plan, its impact on rural communities, and the timeline for government approval. Kelly Block asked about the status of a $1 billion loan and whether additional funding would be needed. Jenna Sudds inquired about the relevance of Canada Post's mandate in the digital age and how it plans to maintain services in remote communities. Marie-Hélène Gaudreau raised concerns about potential post office closures in Quebec and the impact on local communities. Ettinger responded that the plan aims to balance modernization with maintaining essential services. He stated that Canada Post will consult with municipalities and unions on changes and that the company is working to reduce its workforce primarily through attrition. He also mentioned that the plan aims for Canada Post to break even by 2030. Several committee members voiced concerns about the impact of the proposed changes on rural communities and vulnerable populations. The committee also discussed the possibility of privatization, which Mr. Ettinger denied. He stated that the plan is to adjust to the needs of today's consumers and customers, and that Canada Post is trying to become a preferred provider to Canadian business and small business. The committee adjourned to resume in January.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates met to discuss a contract with Stellantis, a car company, and why some parts of the contract were hidden from the public. The main person speaking was Philip Jennings, a Deputy Minister from the Department of Industry. Committee members wanted to know why his story about who wanted to hide parts of the contract changed. They felt he wasn't being honest and was protecting Stellantis more than being open with the government. Mr. Jennings said he made a mistake and didn't mean to mislead anyone. He explained that his department tried to balance sharing information with the committee and protecting Stellantis's private business details. He said his department thought Stellantis wanted some things hidden, so they hid them first to save time. But committee members were not happy with this explanation. They thought the department should have been more open from the start. Some committee members brought up a legal opinion that said Parliament has the right to see any documents, even if they are supposed to be secret. They voted to make the hidden parts of the contract public. The committee also talked about the contract's job guarantees and whether they were normal for these types of deals. Mr. Jennings confirmed that job guarantees are typical and that the government can take action if companies don't meet their promises. During the meeting, a motion was put forward to release the redacted version of the Stellantis contract to the public. After some debate, the motion passed with a vote of 8 in favor and 0 against. This means that the version of the contract with certain information blacked out will now be made available for public viewing. The committee will meet again to discuss Canada Post, but the meeting with the president of Canada Post will still occur on Thursday even if the House is not in session.