OTTAWA, January 27 2020 – The federal government spent over $11.9 billion on management consultants, temporary help contractors and IT consultants between 2011 and 2018 to do the work that could have been done by Canada’s own public service professionals. The contracts ended up costing the public twice their original price.

Shockingly, spending on IT consultants more than doubled – from $605 million in 2011 to over $1.3 billion in 2018 – totalling $8.5 billion in that time period. Seven out of every ten dollars spent on outsourcing is spent on IT consultants. 

“These figures are staggering. The government is choosing to pay more for lower quality services for Canadians,” said PIPSC President, Debi Daviau. “The highest quality, most efficient and least expensive expertise already exists within the public service. Instead of relying on the best public service professionals in the world, the government is wasting Canadians’ money on overpriced contractors.”

Over the years, IT consultants have shifted from serving as a temporary replacement or offering specialized skills to delivering a large share of fundamental IT functions. Outsourcing has eroded institutional knowledge, skills and expertise from the public service.

“Enough is enough. It should be easier to hire and train public servants than to pay a shadow public service that ends up costing twice as much originally expected,” said Daviau. “It’s time for the federal government to reduce outsourcing, as promised by the Liberal government in 2015, and to increase requirements for outsourcing.”

The Phoenix pay system best illustrates how fast costs can spiral out of control when an outsourced IT project goes wrong.

“Canadians cannot afford one more failed outsourced IT project like Phoenix. Billions of dollars can be saved if we invest in public servants. Those savings can be spent on projects that will make lives better for Canadians,” added President Daviau.

PIPSC will expand its fight against outsourcing by advocating for changes to staffing in the public service, reviewing the new direction on staffing, expanding the pilots designed to expedite staffing and finding new training opportunities for its members.

“The public services we rely on every single day are at risk of cuts and privatization. Each one of us has a stake in this fight against outsourcing,” said Daviau.

The full report, The real cost of outsourcing, is available here: https://pipsc.ca/news-issues/outsourcing/part-one-real-cost-outsourcing

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada represents 60,000 public service professionals across Canada. Follow us on Facebook and on Twitter.

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For further information: Johanne Fillion, 613-228-6310, ext 4953 or 613-883-4900 (cell), jfillion@pipsc.ca

OTTAWA, December 5, 2019  – Debi Daviau, President of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) presented the 2019 Institute’s Gold Medal to Dr. Xiaolan Wang to recognize her contributions to the understanding of climate change in Canada and internationally. Dr. Wang is a Senior Research Scientist at Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Dr. Wang’s research seeks to understand the past, current and future behaviour of regional and global climate. Now used by scientists in more than 50 countries, her statistical methods and user-friendly software have changed the way scientists assess climate trends.

“Dr. Wang is an example of the role model that the Institute’s Gold Medal is intended to honour. She is a visionary in the field of climate change research and is held in very high regard in Canada and internationally,” commented President Daviau.

“The tremendous contribution that dedicated professionals like Dr. Wang make to the public good confirms that the federal government has a unique role to play in scientific research. The federal government is responsible for creating and maintaining a climate in which fruitful research can take place and flourish.”

“The work needs to be done in a systematic and sustained manner, and it needs long-term commitment,” explained Dr. Wang. “Without a consistent data process conducted by skilled scientists, artificial data would slip through the cracks and drastically alter our knowledge about climate change.”

“Scientific research is a critical component of our success as a society – whether it is our ability to protect the health and safety of our fellow citizens, preserve our environment, or ensure future economic prosperity,” added Daviau.

Dr. Wang played an important role in Canada’s Changing Climate Report released earlier this year. Canada’s climate is warming more rapidly than the global average and will continue to do so. The report helps illustrate that climate change is real and driven by human activity.

The Professional Institute established the Gold Medal Award program in 1937 to recognize professional public service employees whose outstanding work has led to the improvement and enhancement of public well-being. The program promotes greater awareness of the role and value of professional public services in Canada and globally. 

The 2019 Gold Medal was presented at PIPSC 100^th annual general meeting at the Hilton Lac Leamy Conference Centre in Gatineau, Que., on Nov. 8-9. The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada represents 60,000 public service professionals across Canada. Follow us on Facebook and on Twitter.

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For further information: Johanne Fillion, 613-228-6310, ext 4953 or 613-883-4900 (cell), jfillion@pipsc.ca

NOTE: The award presentation is available on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5MnVA7vU6E&feature=youtu.be

Ottawa, November 7, 2019 – The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) will hold its 100^th Annual General Meeting on November 8 and 9 in Gatineau.

This year’s theme is Leading Progress. PIPSC will be marking its centennial by celebrating its members’ leadership in creating progress in Canada. 

“What an amazing milestone to celebrate. We have been leading progress for 100 years and we will continue to build on that strong foundation,” said PIPSC President Debi Daviau. “Our members expect to see us out front, working hard to deliver for them. And that’s exactly what we continue to do.”

The Institute is proud to welcome as this year’s keynote speaker Hassan Yussuff, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, and receive a presentation from David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data, on PIPSC’s membership survey.  

Event: 100^th Annual General Meeting

Where: Hilton Lac Leamy Conference Centre, Gatineau (QC)

When: November 8^th and 9^th, 2019

Media events: Friday November 8^th

• Address by PIPSC President Debi Daviau at 8:40 a.m.
• Address by Abacus CEO David Coletto at 9:15 a.m.
• Address by CLC President Hassan Yussuff at 9:50 a.m. 

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For further information:

Johanne Fillion, (613) 228-6310 ext 4953 (office) or (613) 883-4900 (cell), jfillion@pipsc.ca

NOTES:

1. The speeches at the AGM will be available for live viewing on the PIPSC Facebook Page. 
2. Learn more about the PIPSC 100^th Annual General Meeting (2019) 
3. Hashtag: ‪#‎PIPSCAGM

In a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada's President Debi Daviau committed to collaborating with the new government and all parties holding the balance of power to retain a strong public service.

“Canadians have voted for a Parliament that believes in maintaining a strong public service,” says Daviau. “We look forward to working with all parties to ensure our members can deliver the services Canadians rely on.” 

As co-chair of the committee overseeing the replacement of Phoenix, President Daviau will continue to push this project to the finish line.

“Phoenix is a top priority for our members — we must remain laser-focused on building a system that pays public servants correctly and on time. We’re eager to get back to work and ensure this project stays at the top of the agenda.” 

Daviau is confident that PIPSC can collaborate effectively to ensure that the federal public service meets the growing needs and aspirations of all Canadians in the years ahead. She outlined PIPSC’s top priorities that she looks forward to discussing with the new Cabinet: 

• Reducing costly and wasteful outsourcing of government consultants
• Ensuring that Canada’s public scientists have the resources they need to help our country face difficult health and environmental challenges ahead
• Giving the Canada Revenue Agency and our members the resources they need to collect the billions of dollars lost every year because of tax loopholes

“We have much work to do,” says Daviau. “We will hold this minority government to account demanding tax fairness, ensuring investment in public science and ending the reliance on outsourcing in the public service.” 

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada represents 60,000 public service professionals across Canada. Follow us on Facebook and on Twitter.

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For further information: 

Johanne Fillion, 613-228-6310, ext 4953 or 613-883-4900 (cell), jfillion@pipsc.ca

Ottawa, October 4, 2019 – PIPSC President Debi Daviau will be speaking to union members outside Place du Portage on Monday morning about the importance of electing a government that closes tax loopholes to pay for climate action. This is part of PIPSC’s ongoing campaign calling on Canadians to vote to protect public services.

When: Monday, October 7 at 8 am
Who: PIPSC President Debi Daviau
Where: 22 Eddy Street, Gatineau

On-site contact persons: Catherine Gagnon at 819-360-4206 and Shelley Melanson at 613-668-3334. 

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada represents 60,000 public service professionals across Canada. Follow us on Facebook and on Twitter.

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For more information, please contact:
Johanne Fillion, 613-228-6310, ext 4953 or 613-883-4900 (cell), jfillion@pipsc.ca

Ottawa, September 26, 2019 – Ninety-four percent of federal scientists say climate change is a crisis in need of immediate action. Only 20% of them think Canada is doing enough to fight and mitigate the climate crisis.

The results are from a survey conducted by the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, the union representing 60,000 professionals including Canada’s public scientists. 

“We’re facing a global climate crisis – with fires, floods and extreme weather threatening us all,” said PIPSC President Debi Daviau. “Canada’s public service has some of the world’s best climate scientists and they can give us the solutions to climate change that we need.” 

Daviau argued that Canada’s climate scientists need the necessary resources to do their jobs, but billions of dollars in public funds are being lost every year because of tax loopholes that let corporate cheats duck paying their fair share.

We now have the number of scientists restored, after the previous government’s deep cuts, but we can’t risk leaving them unresourced in the face of climate crisis.

“Nine out of 10 Canada Revenue Agency tax professionals say it is easier for corporations and wealthy individuals to evade or avoid tax responsibilities than it is for average Canadians,” said Daviau. “Do the math. If we close the tax loopholes, we can fund climate action. In this election, we’re calling on voters to elect MPs that are committed to tax fairness and climate action.” 

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada represents 60,000 public service professionals across Canada. Follow us on Facebook and on Twitter.

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For further information: 

Johanne Fillion, 613-228-6310, ext 4953 or 613-883-4900 (cell), jfillion@pipsc.ca

OTTAWA, September 16, 2019 – The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC), in its election ad, is calling on federal parties to commit to closing corporate tax loopholes to pay for action on the climate crisis.

“We are facing a global climate crisis,” said President Debi Daviau, “and we have some of the best climate scientists in the world in our public service. They can give us the solutions to climate change that we need. But they need the resources to do the job.”

80% of Canadians and 90% CRA tax professionals agree: “it is easier for corporations and wealthy individuals to evade and/or avoid tax responsibilities than it is for average Canadians.” 

In a video released today, the union calls for closing the tax loopholes that allow corporate tax cheats to duck paying their fair share. 

PIPSC will be sharing the video directly with members and with the Canadian public through social media, calling on voters to make tax fairness and climate action the deciding issues of this election. 

“Visit our website, share the video, get informed on the issues and get out to ask candidates tough questions about the future of our country,” said Daviau. “We need to come out of this election with a government that protects public services and respects the people who provide them.”

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada represents 60,000 public service professionals across Canada. Follow us on Facebook and on Twitter.

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For further information: 

Johanne Fillion, 613-228-6310, ext 4953 or 613-883-4900 (cell), jfillion@pipsc.ca

Ottawa, September 9, 2019 -- Dr. Margaret Haydon, a scientist who was fired by the government for blowing the whistle on Health Canada's approval process of a controversial veterinary drug, has filed an appeal to the unfair compensation provided by the Federal Public Service Labour Relations and Employment Board in her case.

In July 2004, the government fired Dr. Haydon and her colleagues Dr. Gerard Lambert and Dr. Shiv Chopra for going public with their concerns about the approval of the recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH), used to increase milk production in cows. The drug could have leached into Canadian dairy products and impacted public health. Their efforts to keep bovine hormone growth out of Canada’s milk supply were ultimately successful – but at a personal and professional cost.

“Every time you drink a glass of milk, you should thank Dr. Margaret Haydon, Dr. Gerard Lambert and Dr. Shiv Chopra for ensuring it isn’t laced with harmful drugs,” said PIPSC president Debi Daviau. “But what did these scientists get for preserving your food safety? Fired. The government dragged their reputation and careers through the mud. It was unconscionable and we can’t allow that to ever happen again.”

After years of administrative tribunals, Dr. Haydon won her case before the Federal Public Service Labour Relations and Employment Board. But the Board limited the return of lost wages to only a period of 10.5 months.

“The compensation awarded by the tribunal was unfair and not enough to deter future governments from conducting reprisals against public service professionals who speak truth to power,” said Daviau. “Not only are we going to continue to fight for a fair compensation for Dr. Haydon, we’re going to fight for a better Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act to actually protect whistleblowers and the public.”

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada represents 60,000 public service professionals across Canada.

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