Government Operations and Estimates

This meeting of the Government Operations and Estimates committee focused on how unused federal properties could be used to help veterans. The main discussion revolved around the future of the Colonel James Layton Ralston Armoury in Amherst, Nova Scotia, which the government plans to get rid of. Witnesses from Amherst and a veterans' food bank shared their concerns and ideas. Key speakers included Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin, a local politician, who argued that the Amherst armoury should be kept for military training, not converted into housing. She highlighted the community's strong military history and the lack of consultation from the government regarding the armoury's closure. Marie Blackburn, from the Veterans Association Food Bank, spoke about the broader need for affordable housing and support services for veterans, suggesting that vacant federal buildings could be used for this purpose, including a community hub in Calgary. Justin McKay, a veteran, emphasized the need for easily accessible health services in rural areas. Mayor Robert Small of Amherst presented a proposal for the armoury to become veteran housing with on-site support services, while also preserving its historical significance. He suggested this project could be a model for other federal properties across Canada. Committee members asked about community reactions, the lack of consultation, and the challenges of providing comprehensive services. There was also discussion about $3 million that was moved from a program meant to help homeless veterans, which witnesses found concerning. No final decisions were made at this meeting. The committee is continuing its study and will gather recommendations by October 13, with the goal of finalizing a report on October 20. The hope is to create a framework for how underused federal properties can better serve veterans.

This Canadian parliamentary committee meeting focused on how unused federal buildings and land could be used to help veterans. The committee heard from representatives from Veterans Affairs Canada and two veteran support organizations. Mitch Freeman from Veterans Affairs Canada explained that his department supports veterans through various programs and services, including disability benefits, health care, and transition support. He mentioned that about 1,700 to 1,800 veterans experience homelessness each year, and that the department collaborates with other federal agencies like Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada on programs to address this. However, when asked about $3 million in unused funding from a veteran homelessness program, Mr. Freeman stated that his department does not administer that program and could not comment on its funding decisions. Key speakers from veteran support organizations, Debbie Lowther of VETS Canada and Brad Field of Homes For Heroes Foundation, expressed frustration with the government's approach. They strongly disagreed with the idea that there were no veterans in need of the $3 million in unspent funds, stating their organizations could have easily used it to help hundreds of veterans with housing, food, and other essential services. They highlighted the importance of early intervention and comprehensive "community hubs" that offer not just housing, but also wraparound support services like financial literacy, employment assistance, and social connection. Committee members raised concerns about the slow pace of government action, the complexity of accessing programs, and the accuracy of homelessness statistics for veterans. The veteran support organizations emphasized that bureaucracy often hinders effective aid and that there is a lack of urgency in addressing veterans' needs. They urged the government to prioritize direct funding to proven organizations and to streamline processes for repurposing federal properties to create veteran-focused communities. The committee agreed to request more detailed information on the implementation plan for supporting vulnerable veterans across the country and any documentation related to the repurposing of St. Luke's Chapel at base Gagetown.

This meeting of the Government Operations and Estimates committee was called to discuss concerns about the new agreement for the Gordie Howe International Bridge. Committee members wanted to understand why the Prime Minister's statements about the bridge's toll revenues seemed to contradict the details of the deal, and what the financial impact would be for Canadian taxpayers. Conservative committee members, including Dan Albas, Melissa Lantsman, Chris Lewis, and Harb Gill, expressed strong concerns. They argued that Canada paid for the entire bridge, but the new agreement means Canada will share 50% of the net toll revenues with the U.S. for 15 years. They questioned why the Prime Minister initially suggested Canada would get all the revenues and why the full details of the agreement, including how operating costs are defined and how disputes will be resolved, were not clearly communicated or made public sooner. They also highlighted a pattern of Canada making concessions in trade negotiations with the U.S. Liberal committee members, such as John-Paul Danko, Caroline Desrochers, Pauline Rochefort, Vince Gasparro, and Marie-France Lalonde, defended the government's actions. They emphasized the huge economic benefits of the bridge for trade and jobs, and praised the workers who built it. They stated that the agreement in principle, which was made public, does not change the original 2012 agreement and that the Prime Minister clarified his earlier remarks. They argued that opening the bridge quickly was crucial for economic certainty and questioned what the opposition would have done differently to avoid delays. Dan Albas proposed a motion to order the Department of Housing, Communities and Infrastructure to release all draft agreements, ask the Parliamentary Budget Officer to analyze the financial impact, conduct a study with at least five meetings, and invite several ministers and bridge officials to testify. Melissa Lantsman later amended this motion to include additional witnesses from impacted businesses and workers to understand the economic effects. However, a Liberal committee member, Caroline Desrochers, moved to adjourn the meeting, and that motion passed with 5 votes for and 4 against, ending the discussion without a decision on the proposed study or its amendments.

This meeting of the Government Operations and Estimates committee focused on Canada Post's financial struggles and its plans for a major transformation. Doug Ettinger, the President and CEO of Canada Post, along with his team, discussed the company's difficult financial situation, which includes a $1.57 billion loss last year and a $205 million loss in the first quarter of this year. He attributed these losses to declining letter mail and increasing delivery costs, and highlighted the additional challenges of serving Canada's vast and sparsely populated geography. Key speakers included Mr. Ettinger, who expressed optimism about the future due to a new collective agreement with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) and the lifting of government restrictions that had prevented changes since the 1990s. He outlined plans for weekend parcel delivery, a new online marketplace for Canadian small businesses, and home pickup services for parcels and returns. Committee members, including Kelly Block, Jenna Sudds, Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, William Stevenson, Pauline Rochefort, Tamara Jansen, Vince Gasparro, Andrew Lawton, and Danielle Martin, raised questions about the transformation plan's approval, consultation processes with communities, the definition of rural post offices, the accommodation program for those with functional challenges, executive bonuses, and the balance between profitability and climate targets. Mr. Ettinger confirmed that the transformation plan was submitted to the minister in November of the previous year but has not yet received full approval. He committed to consulting with communities, including municipalities, once approvals are in place, particularly regarding changes to post office locations. He also promised to provide information on executive bonuses and details about the $1 billion net-zero transformation, including how much has been spent. The committee chair reminded Canada Post that answers to questions posed during the meeting are required within 21 days. The meeting concluded with a call for more transparency and timely information from Canada Post regarding its transformation plans.

The committee meeting focused on Canada's economic situation and the "buy Canadian" policy, hearing from the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) and industry representatives. The PBO, Annette Ryan, presented reports on government spending plans and the overall economic outlook, noting that most of the planned spending from the 2025 budget is now reflected in the estimates. She also discussed the economic and fiscal outlook, which anticipated slower economic growth through 2026. Committee members questioned the PBO on various economic issues. Conservative member Adam Chambers raised concerns about rising debt costs and the government's ability to meet its financial targets, to which Ms. Ryan indicated it would be very challenging without policy changes. Liberal member Vince Gasparro highlighted Canada's strong economic growth compared to other G7 countries and the benefits of maintaining a high credit rating. Bloc Québécois member Marie-Hélène Gaudreau questioned the government's financial targets and the quality of public spending, suggesting a need for better ways to measure the effectiveness of government spending. The second part of the meeting featured industry leaders discussing the "buy Canadian" policy. Daniel Cloutier from Unifor, Charlotte Laramée from AluQuébec, and Olivier Marcil from Alstom all emphasized the policy's importance for Canadian jobs and industries. Mr. Cloutier called for the policy to be applied retroactively to large, strategic contracts and for Canada to reconsider preferential treatment for American suppliers given their "buy American" rules. He also highlighted the negative impact of tariffs on Canadian manufacturing, citing job losses at a truck plant in Quebec. Ms. Laramée (AluQuébec) discussed the policy's impact on small and medium-sized businesses, suggesting that contract thresholds might be too high and that tenders should prioritize the total cost of ownership rather than just the lowest bid. She also stressed the need to protect Canadian industries from unfair competition from countries with non-market economies. Mr. Marcil (Alstom) shared how the "buy Canadian" policy helped secure a contract for new Toronto subway cars, which will create jobs across Canada, and advocated for consistent and predictable policy to encourage more investment in Canadian manufacturing. The witnesses generally agreed that the "buy Canadian" policy is a positive step but needs to be strengthened and consistently applied across all levels of government to truly benefit Canadian industry and workers. No specific decisions were made during the meeting, but committee members expressed interest in further information from the PBO on debt sensitivity analysis and from industry representatives on the details of their recommendations for the "buy Canadian" policy.

The parliamentary committee continued its study on the "buy Canada" proposed law, hearing from various business and labour groups about its effects on Canadian companies and workers. The discussion focused on how the policy could strengthen the Canadian economy, as well as potential problems and areas for improvement. Michelle Auger from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) supported the policy's goal but warned that many small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) are unaware of or find it too complex to participate in federal purchasing. She suggested lowering contract sizes, reducing paperwork, and focusing on Canadian-owned businesses. Representatives from the Canadian Steel Producers Association and Janco Steel strongly supported the policy, especially for the steel industry, seeing it as a way to stabilize the domestic market and create jobs. Francis Prévost from Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters added that the policy needs to be part of a larger industrial plan with support for innovation and training, not just focused on the lowest price. Labour groups, including Nole Coutrouzas from the Millwright Regional Council and Igor Delov from the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario, argued that a true "buy Canada" policy must also include Canadian skilled trades workers. They raised concerns about foreign workers being brought in for jobs that Canadians are trained and available to do, often through loopholes in trade agreements. Daniel Cloutier from Unifor briefly highlighted the decline of Canadian manufacturing, noting that the "lowest bidder" approach in government purchasing hurts domestic industries. No formal decisions were made by the committee, but witnesses suggested several next steps. These included improving awareness and access to purchasing opportunities for SMEs, reducing paperwork, and ensuring the policy prioritizes Canadian skilled labour. They also recommended that the "buy Canada" policy be part of a broader industrial strategy that includes investments in training and innovation. The committee Chair indicated that the Unifor representative would be invited back to speak at a future meeting.

The committee met to discuss the proposed "Buy Canadian" policy, focusing on how it could help Canadian businesses, create jobs, and strengthen the country's supply chains, especially in the defence sector. Committee members heard from experts and business owners about the policy's strengths, its challenges, and ways to make it more effective. Richard Shimooka, an expert from the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, advised caution, suggesting that defence spending should prioritize strategic military needs over creating highly specialized, high-cost Canadian-only products. He also questioned the accuracy of claims about large numbers of jobs being created by certain defence contracts. Dr. Noah Fry from Dalhousie University supported the policy's goals but highlighted its limitations due to trade agreements and a small pool of Canadian suppliers. He pointed out "loopholes" that allow foreign companies to benefit from Canadian contracts and called for better data collection and a dedicated office to manage policy exceptions. James Yurichuk, CEO of Wuxly Defence, a Canadian outerwear manufacturer, emphasized the importance of treating defence textiles and Arctic gear as strategic national capabilities. He shared his company's success in quickly producing medical supplies during the pandemic and military gear for Ukraine, stressing the need for "true domestic value" through Canadian ownership, manufacturing, and suppliers. Andy Straisfeld, President of MRE Canada, echoed this, stating that the policy is crucial for economic, industrial, and national security, and requires long-term investment and predictable government buying to build lasting capacity. The witnesses agreed that the policy needs clearer rules, especially regarding Canadian content and ownership, and better support for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). Concerns were raised about delays in launching a promised SME procurement program and the high cost for smaller companies to bid on government contracts. No formal decisions were made during this meeting, but the discussion highlighted the need for sustained government commitment and a more proactive approach to industrial development. A motion to investigate a separate government spending issue (Canada Health Infoway's PrescribeIT program) was defeated by committee members.

The Government Operations and Estimates committee met to hear from the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) about the government's spending plans for the upcoming year and to discuss various economic issues. The Parliamentary Budget Officer, Annette Ryan, presented the 2026-27 main estimates, which outline the government's planned spending. She noted that out of $502.8 billion in total spending authority, $230.4 billion needs Parliament's approval. Ms. Ryan highlighted that $14.8 billion of this spending is for measures announced in the 2025 budget. Committee members, including Jeremy Patzer and Harb Gill, raised concerns about the growing national debt, the increasing cost of paying interest on that debt, and whether the government has a clear plan to manage its finances. Ms. Ryan expressed concern that the link between government spending and actual results for Canadians has become weaker over time. Other topics discussed included the government's "buy Canadian" policy, with committee members asking about its potential costs. The effectiveness of new housing programs, like Build Canada Homes, was also questioned by members such as Tamara Jansen, who noted that housing starts have been declining despite promises of a construction boom. Liberal committee members, including Vince Gasparro and Pauline Rochefort, highlighted positive reports from international organizations like the IMF, which show Canada in a strong financial position compared to other G7 countries. Ms. Ryan acknowledged these strengths but also pointed out areas of concern, such as Canada's productivity and rising household debt. Regarding next steps, the PBO offered to provide more detailed analysis on the national debt profile, the costs of the "buy Canadian" policy, and the impact of housing programs. Marie-Hélène Gaudreau proposed a study on the National Capital Commission's contracting practices, but the debate on this motion was put off until a future meeting. The committee then proceeded to approve various budget items, known as the Main Estimates, for several government departments and agencies.

This committee meeting focused on Canada's "buy Canadian" policy, which aims to prioritize Canadian suppliers, materials, and content in government purchases and funding. The discussion covered how the policy works, who is responsible for it, and its expected impact on the Canadian economy. Dominic Laporte from Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) explained that the policy, launched in December 2025, uses government purchasing power to strengthen the Canadian economy. It has two main parts: prioritizing Canadian materials like steel, aluminum, and wood, and giving Canadian suppliers a price advantage in bids. He noted that for contracts of $25 million or more, 25% of the evaluation score is based on Canadian content, and this threshold will drop to $5 million in June. PSPC's role is to ensure the policy is consistently put into action. Committee members asked about the policy's effectiveness and reach. Kelly Block (Conservative) questioned how much of the government's total spending would be truly Canadian and whether foreign-owned companies with a Canadian presence would qualify. John-Paul Danko (Liberal) was enthusiastic, highlighting the policy's potential to benefit the national economy and asking how it would influence provincial and municipal governments. Marie-Hélène Gaudreau (Bloc Québécois) expressed concern that the policy might not be enough to save struggling Canadian businesses without broader industrial support. Later, Martin Krumins and other officials from the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) discussed how the "buy Canadian" policy applies to government grants and contributions, which are funds given to support projects rather than direct purchases. They clarified that the policy is mandatory for these programs, though departments can identify exceptions. TBS is developing ways to track compliance, but acknowledged the challenge of monitoring thousands of projects. There was also discussion about how the federal policy might align with similar efforts at provincial and municipal levels, and the importance of a long-term economic vision. No specific decisions were made during this meeting, but the committee agreed to approve the budget for this study. Committee members also expressed disappointment that Minister Lightbound, who is responsible for this policy, declined to attend and requested that he be invited again after more expert testimony is heard.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (OGGO) met to discuss the main estimates for several government departments and offices for the fiscal year 2026-2027. Representatives from Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), Shared Services Canada (SSC), and the Office of the Governor General's Secretary (OGGS) presented their budget requests and answered questions from committee members. PSPC is asking for $5.9 billion, a decrease of $1.3 billion from last year, due to completed infrastructure projects and spending cuts. SSC is seeking a decrease in funding but needs new funding for cybersecurity and IT services. The OGGS has a budget of $22.2 million, with most going to salaries and national honors. Key topics included government spending, the "Buy Canadian" policy, and digital security. Committee members questioned the clothing allowance for the Governor General and the costs associated with past travel. They also asked about the implementation of the "Buy Canadian" policy and how it would affect different departments. The committee discussed CANChat, a secure AI platform developed by SSC for government employees, and the importance of digital sovereignty. Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) also appeared before the committee. Treasury Board Secretary Bill Matthews defended the use of the "Canada Strong" slogan in government communications, stating it has become the government's brand. There was discussion about a $1 billion contingency fund for defense spending and a $25 billion sovereign wealth fund financed through borrowing. Committee members raised concerns about the lack of transparency and potential risks associated with these funds. Committee members requested additional information from the departments and TBS on various topics, including the breakdown of expenses for former Governors General, the implementation of the "Buy Canadian" policy, and the details of contracts with American digital providers. The committee emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in government spending. The committee will continue its study of the main estimates in future meetings.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (OGGO) met to discuss the Main Estimates for 2026-2027, focusing on the financial plans for Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) and Shared Services Canada. Minister Joël Lightbound presented the budget forecasts, highlighting a decrease in spending for both departments due to the completion of infrastructure projects and efforts to find efficiencies. He emphasized the importance of essential services like payroll and cybersecurity, where investments are continuing despite overall budget reductions. The committee also elected John-Paul Danko as vice-chair. Committee members questioned Minister Lightbound on various topics, including savings identified from a comprehensive review of federal contracts, Canada Post's transformation plan and potential layoffs, and the "Buy Canadian" policy. Discussions also covered the use of consultants, the implementation of artificial intelligence in the public service, and measures to prevent procurement fraud. Minister Lightbound defended the government's approach to cost management and emphasized the importance of investing in essential services and cybersecurity. Later, the committee heard from Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali, who outlined the main estimates, highlighting planned spending of $502.8 billion. He discussed transfer payments, investments in the Canadian Armed Forces, and the Treasury Board Secretariat's budget. Committee members questioned President Ali on the government's comprehensive expenditure review, the return to the workplace policy, and the use of partisan messaging in government communications. The committee discussed the government's approach to cost management, the implementation of artificial intelligence, and the transition to the Dayforce pay system.

The Canadian parliamentary committee on Government Operations and Estimates (OGGO) held a meeting to discuss government spending and related issues. The meeting included multiple sessions with different witnesses. The first session focused on the Privy Council Office's (PCO) main estimates, with Matthew Shea, Chief Financial Officer, leading the presentation. Committee members questioned the PCO's spending on external consultants for marketing and communications, with Kelly Block raising concerns about the value for money and potential overlap with existing staff duties. Shea defended the use of consultants for specialized tasks and independence, promising to provide additional information on specific contracts. Vince Gasparro focused on the Major Projects Office, with Louise Baird explaining its role in coordinating and accelerating major projects to attract investment and streamline regulatory processes. Marie-Hélène Gaudreau raised concerns about the budget for the Governor General and the government's use of consultants, questioning whether internal capacity was being weakened. Jeremy Patzer questioned the non-partisan nature of government communications, citing the use of the slogan "Canada Strong," which was also a Liberal campaign slogan. The committee also heard from Professor Louis Côté, who discussed the evolution of state governance and administrative reforms, emphasizing the need for strategic government intervention and investment in public services. He cautioned against excessive cuts and the risks of public-private partnerships. The committee also welcomed the new Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO), Annette Ryan, who discussed the spring economic update and the 2026-27 main estimates. She highlighted concerns about fiscal sustainability and the transparency of government spending, committing to providing independent, non-partisan analysis to support Parliament's review of public spending and the country's financial situation.