The committee studied the comprehensive expenditure review and its impact on Library and Archives Canada (LAC) and the Department of Employment and Social Development (ESDC). Appearing were Leslie Weir, Librarian and Archivist of Canada, Jennifer Schofield, Assistant Deputy Minister at LAC, and Cliff Groen, Associate Deputy Minister and Chief Operating Officer for Service Canada at ESDC.
Leslie Weir and Jennifer Schofield testified that LAC is cutting 161 positions by 2028-29, including 56 indeterminate employees, through reductions to the documentary heritage communities program, ATIP and proactive access funding, and organizational restructuring. They noted that LAC currently meets 80% of ATIP deadlines and has reduced its backlog from over 14,000 to 6,321 requests, but warned that compliance may be at risk if very large requests are received, especially as temporary ATIP funding sunsets. They highlighted improvements from their ATIP action plan, including an archival research team that reduced consultation pages sent to other departments by 95.6% and a triage process that diverted 30% of new requests from the formal system. They recommended that the government adopt a proactive declassification approach, as used by other Five Eyes allies, to ease the ATIP burden, and noted that the 2019 removal of fees for large requests contributed to increased volume.
Cliff Groen testified that ESDC is reducing its workforce by 5,313 positions plus 98 executives by 2028-29 to meet a $780.5 million funding cut, with 3,028 indeterminate employees receiving affected letters in January 2026 and 47 executives notified. He stated that frontline service delivery to Canadians, including EI, passports, and old age security, is not being reduced, as those programs are funded through separate accounts, and that in-person service points in rural communities will be maintained. He defended executive at-risk pay as part of base salary tied to performance agreements, not a bonus, and noted that only four of 834 executives did not receive it. He highlighted modernization efforts such as online passport renewals and a new OAS system, and said cybersecurity protocols are reviewed continuously with Treasury Board and the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security. He disagreed with the characterization that service targets are failing, citing an 87.7% on-time payment rate for EI first benefits, while acknowledging challenges with reconsideration requests.
The committee did not debate any motions or procedural matters during this meeting.
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