Post-Election Government Relations off to a Good Start

Fellow members,

With the swearing-in of the new federal Cabinet and the election of close to 100 new Members of Parliament, I have been putting together a new government relations plan and building new relationships with elected officials. Given that we are in a minority government situation, it will be a busy time for us as we reach out to all the parties and work to get things accomplished.

The day after the announcement of the Cabinet, the new President of the Treasury Board, Jean-Yves Duclos, called to touch base and introduce himself.  This bodes well for a good start to a productive relationship with the Treasury Board as we move forward on our member’s priorities.

Earlier this month I had the opportunity to meet the newly appointed and newly elected Minister of Public Services and Procurement Canada, Anita Anand.  It was a productive meeting and the Minister conveyed that she was very open to hearing from federal bargaining agents, and wanted to know our thoughts and concerns.  She told us that her first request to her ministerial officials was to get a full briefing on the Phoenix pay system.  She stressed that she sees it as her top priority to improve the situation, and personally feels very committed to the issue.

The meeting provided me with a chance to share with her the severe problems our members still face that are caused by the disastrous pay system.  I took the opportunity to express, on behalf of our Civilian Members at the RCMP, their deep concern with being transferred to the Phoenix pay system upon deeming. I made it clear that we would continue to demand answers, and remain completely opposed to the transition of members onto Phoenix.

The meeting also provided me with the opportunity to express our members’ concerns over GC Workplaces and Open Offices. I conveyed to her that we wanted to make sure that the implementation needs to be about building healthier and more productive workplaces, and not about simply cutting costs and jamming people into smaller and smaller spaces. I assured her that we would be monitoring the situation closely. 

Finally, Minister of Digital Government Joyce Murray is now responsible for Shared Services Canada.  I have asked for a meeting to go over a number of issues with her.

Stay tuned for more news on the government relations front.

Better Together!

Debi Daviau