Government Operations and Estimates

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (OGGO) met to study the Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner (PSIC), hearing from Harriet Solloway, Commissioner, and Brian Radford, Acting Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel.

Harriet Solloway described PSIC as an impartial investigative and quasi-judicial body that investigates disclosures of major wrongdoing and reprisal complaints in the federal public sector. She reported a sustained increase in submissions with no plateau in sight, noting that despite increased productivity, the office is falling behind, with nearly 300 active files and a risk that some allegations may never be investigated. She appealed for a review of the budget process, arguing that submitting requests through the Treasury Board creates a real or apparent conflict of interest, and recommended that Parliament itself determine the office's budget to protect its independence.

Brian Radford clarified that the 16 recommendations from the 2017 legislative review were not implemented by the government, as the act has not changed since then. He noted that some administrative recommendations aimed at internal disclosure systems were implemented by the Treasury Board Secretariat, but the commissioner's office is a fully independent body and was not involved in that process. He also explained that the office does not disclose the number of disclosures from specific departments to protect confidentiality and avoid exposing whistle-blowers.

During questioning, Solloway stated that the average wait time for an admissibility decision is approximately 12 to 14 months, and that the office has 66 pending investigations with only six investigators and three team leaders. She noted that the office requested $9 million in additional funding but received only $1 million, and that a new request for urgent support is being prepared. She disagreed with a characterization that the office is hostile to whistle-blowers, stating that the team is dedicated and treats all parties with respect, and confirmed she has never had to remove an employee for misconduct.

The committee also debated two motions during the meeting. Jeremy Patzer moved a motion to study the creation and planning of the Defence Investment Agency, with officials from Public Services and Procurement Canada, the Secretary of State for Defence Procurement, and the agency's CEO to appear. Kelly Block moved a motion to study the use of illegal foreign labour on federally funded infrastructure projects, with officials from the Treasury Board and representatives of building trades. The committee discussed scheduling priorities, with some members proposing that the Defence Investment Agency study begin only after the completion of a previously agreed Canada Post study.