Public Accounts

The committee met to discuss the Benefits Delivery Modernization programme, a project to modernize the delivery of Old Age Security, Employment Insurance, and Canada Pension Plan benefits. The programme, initiated in 2017 with a $1.75 billion budget, has seen costs escalate to an estimated $6.6 billion. Members expressed concern about cost overruns, delivery failures, and the impact on seniors who rely on these benefits. The committee had previously adopted a report with six recommendations, including a request for a revised cost estimate and a contingency plan, with a deadline of January 31, 2026.

The clerk confirmed that no response had been received from Employment and Social Development Canada by the deadline. Members noted that this constituted a lack of respect for parliamentary privilege and procedure. They also highlighted that the government had not provided a response within the 45-day timeframe required under Standing Order 109 for the report tabled on October 9.

The committee agreed to send a letter to the department requesting the outstanding information within a very short timeframe. The meeting left unresolved the issue of the department's non-compliance with the committee's requests and the broader concerns about programme management and cost overruns.