Liberals introduce first major legislative reform of HR practices in 35 years for the federal public service
The federal government is revamping its labour relations, hiring and promotion practices for its 160,000 public servants.
The Liberal government introduced legislation, the Public Service Modernization Act, on Thursday to cut red tape and eliminate the obstacle course that discourages job seekers from applying and wastes time and money.
“As I have said many times, I firmly believe that the public service of Canada is one of this country’s most valuable assets,” said Treasury Board president Lucienne Robillard. “A professional, impartial and talented public service contributes immeasurably to the high quality of life we enjoy.”
Over the last few years, the government has taken steps to combat harassment and wrongdoing, strengthen diversity in the workplace, support employees with disabilities and encourage learning. Robillard said the legislation, the first major legislative HR reform in 35 years for the federal government, is ambitious.
“It will eliminate unnecessary red tape in staffing,” said Robillard. “It will lay the foundation for more constructive, harmonious labour relations. And it will provide greater support for employees in the area of learning so that they can pursue their professional development and meet the needs of Canadians.”
Staffing: The merit principle stays, but gets a facelift
The federal government’s commitment to “merit-based” staffing won’t change, said Robillard. But it will undergo a facelift.
“The complex procedures that have grown up around it have become an obstacle course that waste time and money and discourages many good candidates from seeking government employment,” she said.
The government is proposing reforms that will help managers hire the people they need quickly while ensuring the merit principle, designed to guard against favouritism and political interference, is preserved. Applicants who are disappointed by hiring decisions could appeal to an independent tribunal if they have evidence of abuses.
The merit principle had become onerous in practice because every applicant had to be evaluated and ranked, a time consuming process that meant posts couldn’t be filled quickly.
Labour relations
Robillard said sound labour management is critical in dealing with the federal public sector, since 85 per cent of the workforce is unionized.
“We want to work together to create a healthy workplace,” she said. “Our goal is to cultivate a climate of trust and co-operation. This legislation provides for better dialogue, joint problem solving, mutually agreed upon solutions and more effective collective bargaining.”
Robillard wants to see the creation of Public Interest Commissions to help bring Canadians’ interest to bear during difficult negotiations between the government and its unions.
It would also open the door to potential unionization of some employees, such as government lawyers, who had previously been excluded.
Learning
Robillard said learning is the key to renewing the public service.
“Better learning strengthens accountability. It fosters innovation. It helps ensure that we have the skills we need to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow,” she said.
The legislation proposes the creation of a new Canada School of Public Service, which would merge the Canadian Centre for Management Development and Training and Development Canada.
“This would create a single window for learning and development programs within government,” said Robillard.
The Liberal government introduced legislation, the Public Service Modernization Act, on Thursday to cut red tape and eliminate the obstacle course that discourages job seekers from applying and wastes time and money.
“As I have said many times, I firmly believe that the public service of Canada is one of this country’s most valuable assets,” said Treasury Board president Lucienne Robillard. “A professional, impartial and talented public service contributes immeasurably to the high quality of life we enjoy.”
Over the last few years, the government has taken steps to combat harassment and wrongdoing, strengthen diversity in the workplace, support employees with disabilities and encourage learning. Robillard said the legislation, the first major legislative HR reform in 35 years for the federal government, is ambitious.
“It will eliminate unnecessary red tape in staffing,” said Robillard. “It will lay the foundation for more constructive, harmonious labour relations. And it will provide greater support for employees in the area of learning so that they can pursue their professional development and meet the needs of Canadians.”
Staffing: The merit principle stays, but gets a facelift
The federal government’s commitment to “merit-based” staffing won’t change, said Robillard. But it will undergo a facelift.
“The complex procedures that have grown up around it have become an obstacle course that waste time and money and discourages many good candidates from seeking government employment,” she said.
The government is proposing reforms that will help managers hire the people they need quickly while ensuring the merit principle, designed to guard against favouritism and political interference, is preserved. Applicants who are disappointed by hiring decisions could appeal to an independent tribunal if they have evidence of abuses.
The merit principle had become onerous in practice because every applicant had to be evaluated and ranked, a time consuming process that meant posts couldn’t be filled quickly.
Labour relations
Robillard said sound labour management is critical in dealing with the federal public sector, since 85 per cent of the workforce is unionized.
“We want to work together to create a healthy workplace,” she said. “Our goal is to cultivate a climate of trust and co-operation. This legislation provides for better dialogue, joint problem solving, mutually agreed upon solutions and more effective collective bargaining.”
Robillard wants to see the creation of Public Interest Commissions to help bring Canadians’ interest to bear during difficult negotiations between the government and its unions.
It would also open the door to potential unionization of some employees, such as government lawyers, who had previously been excluded.
Learning
Robillard said learning is the key to renewing the public service.
“Better learning strengthens accountability. It fosters innovation. It helps ensure that we have the skills we need to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow,” she said.
The legislation proposes the creation of a new Canada School of Public Service, which would merge the Canadian Centre for Management Development and Training and Development Canada.
“This would create a single window for learning and development programs within government,” said Robillard.
