HUMA committee briefing binder: Appearance of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development – May 30, 2023

Issue

As the Old Age Security (OAS) benefits are moving to the new Common Benefits Delivery (CBD) platform, what is the Benefits Delivery Modernization (BDM) programme doing to ensure that there is no disruption to payments and services for seniors when the new IT solution goes live?

Background

The Benefits Delivery Modernization programme (BDM) is transforming how the Government of Canada delivers benefits, ensuring Canadians are at the core of our services.

The BDM programme will deliver a world-class service experience through modernizing the way that Government serves Canadians, from the elderly to the young, from people looking for work to those living with a disability.

The Old Age Security (OAS) program will be the first benefit to begin to use the new common benefits delivery platform.

Key facts

The migration of the OAS benefits to the new platform will be completed through a number of system releases over the next 2 fiscal years.

The phased migration plan includes significant testing and assurance activities and remains on track for completion in December 2024, followed by 9 months of close monitoring.

There will be 3 releases:

• the first release is planned for June 2023. It will provide a new Case Management function for staff who support Foreign Benefits recipients in obtaining their pension income from other international jurisdictions. The Government of Canada does not issue payments to these clients and as such there is no risk to interruption in benefit payments
• the second release includes end-to-end processing for the purpose of extensive testing and pilot activities, which will not be public facing
• the third release is planned for December 2024, and will include the full end-to-end processing and payment system functionality, electronic services, and the migration of all current OAS benefit recipients and historical data

Key messages

Continuity in payments and service to clients remains the key priority for the project through all of its activities.

Rigorous and comprehensive testing will address a multitude of changes, including elements that have an impact on eligibility and entitlement, such as marital status, age, address, etc.

In addition, pilot activities scheduled prior to go live will provide further assurance that:

• the BDM systems and current systems are producing the expected benefit amount
• the BDM systems are able to process the necessary volume of payments for the OAS program
• employees working in the OAS program will have received sufficient training and access to the new tools and processes required to support clients

The system will not go live until it can be fully proven to pay seniors without interruption.

In addition, should a significant fault be uncovered after go-live, we will have processes established to quickly respond and address issues or revert back to the legacy system to assure continuity in payments.

The OAS on BDM system will in all material aspect's function and perform as well as the legacy system it replaces. We will not deploy something into production that compromises payments to seniors. We will assure system integrity through extensive testing, pilots, and training to ensure we meet that standard.

Issue

In recent years, the department’s programs have increasingly become the target of fraud. Both the nature and volume of fraud have expanded, including cyber-based fraud. The schemes are more sophisticated and organized.

Background

• Globally, public sector institutions are dealing with increasingly sophisticated and complex cyber attacks. Fraudsters are leveraging stolen personal information to access social benefits
• Service Canada takes the integrity of its programs very seriously and remains committed to the financial stewardship of its programs
• Service Canada must balance the protection of public funds against the need to put clients into pay as quickly and seamlessly as possible
• Integrity activities at ESDC focus primarily on detection, with the most significant of these activities being directed towards investigations. The department uses a variety of tools and processes to help identify and address instances of error, abuse, and fraud. In 2022 to 2023, ESDC conducted more than 201,000 investigations relating to the EI, EI ERB, CPP/OAS and SIN programs

Key facts

• The Department leverages data analytics and intelligence capabilities to identify fraud vectors/patterns and proactively take action to prevent payments from being issued to fraudsters
• Other tools have been identified and will be developed in the areas of online fraud detection and vulnerability management to enhance the department security posture in an effort to mitigate ongoing threats. These include enhancing firewalls, protecting systems from “bots”, using analytics to flag suspicious activities, and implementing measures to detect and address internal threats
• During the 2022 to 2023 fiscal year, a total of 12,108 stop-pays were imposed. These stop-pays detected $46.3M in overpayments and prevented an estimated $135.3M in payments from being issued to fraudsters. Service Canada has implemented a series of measures aimed at detecting and combating fraud as a result of new tools for online fraud detection
• In Volume III of the Public Accounts of Canada 2021 to 2022, ESDC reported an amount of $53.3 million ($15.7 million in 2020 to 2021) in losses of public money due to an offence, illegal act or accident. The majority of this amount ($43.5 million) is related to fraudulent claims for Employment Insurance

Key messages

• Service Canada takes the integrity of its programs very seriously
• We know that in time of crisis, the risk of fraud is heightened
• The department leverages data analytics and intelligence capabilities to disrupt, detect and prevent fraud
• From the outset of the pandemic, fraudsters using stolen identities to submit fraudulent EI claims have impacted Canadians. These fraudsters have disproportionately impacted Quebec residents
• New IT solutions have been implemented to identify fraud patterns earlier in the application process and prevent fraudulent applications from being submitted online
• Allegations of fraud or illegal acts are fully investigated and could be referred to law enforcement agencies as appropriate. Debts are established and penalties imposed when allegations are founded
• Measures are in place to support clients impacted by identity theft/fraud on a priority basis
• Service Canada also works closely with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, other government departments, law enforcement and financial institutions to help defeat these fraudsters

Issue

What is the Department doing to ensure that seniors receive effective and timely access to centralized information on a wide range of programs and services?

Background

• The aging Canadian population is growing and so is the demand for more centralized and timely services for seniors, especially as their needs become more complex and diverse
• The Minister of Seniors and the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development share a Mandate Letter commitment to implement a single point of access for seniors to a wide range of government services and benefits
• While points of access for seniors to many government services already exist by telephone and in-person, the Department is exploring different avenues to centralize information for seniors across various levels of government

Key facts

• As an organization, Service Canada is already the leader in providing Canadians with a single point of access to a wide range of government services and benefits. It achieves this through 316 Service Canada centres; 247 scheduled outreach sites (217 reactivated as of May 5, 2023); 15 service delivery partner sites; and, 21 passport service sites
• Service Canada also provides a common web platform for 83 departments; with 845.4M visits in 2022 to 2023 and 110.7M visits this fiscal year to date, Canada.ca is the principal Government website
• Seniors currently have multiple points of access to some, but not all, government programs (for example Old Age Security, Canada Pension Plan, etc.) by telephone through the Pensions Call Centre and 1 800 O-Canada, in-person through Service Canada centres, through outreach activities, and through eServiceCanada
• The Pensions Call Centre supports seniors who have trouble navigating the Internet or who don’t have Internet access by offering guidance in how to access services online, referring them to appropriate resources, and where applicable, updating their account information for them or ordering forms and applications to be sent to them by mail
• Through the Community and Outreach Liaison Service, Service Canada offers alternative service delivery options (including access to the Outreach Support Centre toll-free line) to vulnerable clients, including seniors, by working directly with community organizations to reach seniors who may not otherwise be able to access regular channels
• Improvements continue to be made to provide seniors with a more centralized access to government services

Key messages

• The Department is exploring different avenues to meet the commitments outlined in Ministers Khera and Gould's Mandate Letters
• Measures continue to be implemented to ensure that seniors have timely access to the information and support they require, all while having a positive client experience
• For instance, in recent years, initiatives such as the integrated Old Age Security/Guaranteed Income Supplement (OAS/GIS) application and the OAS/GIS Automatic Enrolment eliminated the need for approximately 50% of seniors to apply for OAS/GIS
• The Pensions Call Centre also enhanced its client experience by migrating to a new telephone platform, which allows virtually 100% of clients to choose to wait to speak to an agent, resulting in an increased queue capacity and number of callers that can wait to speak to an agent
• Work is currently underway in the Pensions Call Centre to implement virtual hold. Clients waiting in queue to speak to an agent will be able to select an option to hang up and be called back by the system when they are next in line to be answered and connected to an agent
• Seniors, now more than ever, rely on Service Canada to deliver its core services in an efficient, accessible, and timely manner, meeting service standards and the evolving needs of Canadian seniors

Issue

What are the current service standards for Employment Insurance (EI) claims?

Background

• Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) is the largest federal service delivery organization in Canada, delivering benefits and services to support Canadians at all stages of their lives. Since the beginning of the pandemic, ESDC has worked tirelessly to manage efficiently the processing of EI applications and call volumes and issued more than $36.4 billion in EI benefits in 2021 to 2022
• Service Canada’s key client service performance indicator for timeliness of EI claims processing is Speed of Payment (SOP). The target is to issue a payment, or notification of non-payment, to claimants within 28 days of filing their application for benefits, 80% of the time
• Service Canada makes every effort to meet EI’s service standard. However, there are situations that prevent the Department from meeting this objective, particularly during the annual summer and winter peak periods, or because of missing documents or incorrect information

Key facts

• In 2023 to 2024, as of April 30, 2023, 76.7% of EI payments, or notifications of non-payment, were made within 28 days for the whole of Canada
• For 2022 to 2023, 76.2% of EI payments, or notifications of non-payment, were made within 28 days for the whole of Canada
• In 2023 to 2024, as of April 30, 2023, the average number of days it took for a client to receive their first EI benefit payment was 23 days, compared to an average of 24 days in 2022 to 2023
• In 2023 to 2024, as of April 30, 2023, 181,968 EI Initial and Renewal applications were received and 195,022 were processed
• For 2022 to 2023, 2,904,173 EI Initial and Renewal applications were received and 2,975,644 were processed
• For 2022 to 2023, the EI Call Centre answered approximately 6.2 million calls. Of these calls, 40% were answered by an agent within 10 minutes and the average wait time was 18 minutes
• As of May 5, 2023, year-to-date, the EI Call Centre answered over 524,000 calls. Of these calls, approximately 89% were answered by an agent within 10 minutes and the average wait time was 3 minutes
• The EI Call Centre has improved its accessibility to be near 100% for callers accessing the queue to speak to an agent, compared to 50% in 2020 to 2021
• On November 3, 2022, the Fall Economic Statement announced $1.02B for Service Canada to process EI and Old Age Security claims faster, while reducing the EI claim inventory. In addition, $574M was announced to reduce the EI and Pensions Call Centre wait times

Key messages

• The EI Program, including its Call Centres, remains at the forefront of the Government of Canada’s service to Canadians
• As Canada moves into a post-pandemic era, yearly peak periods of demand will continue to affect some Canadians as they wait longer for their claims to be processed and for their calls to the EI Call Centre to be answered
• Service Canada continues to put measures in place to ensure that Canadians have timely access to the EI benefits when they need it most

If pressed

• The EI program is one of the pillars of Canada’s social safety net and plays a pivotal role in the lives of Canadians, providing vital income support when they need it most
• In 2021 to 2022, Service Canada delivered $36.4 billion in direct EI benefits to ensure the economic and social well-being of Canadians
• While we cannot discuss individual cases, any clients who are waiting for a decision regarding their eligibility for EI benefits and are in an urgent or dire need situation should contact the EI Call Centre for assistance
• In 2023 to 2024, as of April 30, 2023, 62.3% of EI payments, or notifications of non-payment, in the Quebec region were made within 28 days
• In 2023 to 2024, as of April 30, 2023, the average number of days it took for a client to receive their first EI benefit payment was 31 days, compared to an average of 23 days in Canada
• The results in the Quebec region are lower than the national results because the EI network has focused on reducing the volume and age of claims specifically in this region. As more claims were processed past the 28-day service standard, Speed of Pay results were impacted and below target
• These efforts are having a positive impact on clients from the QC region. As of April 30, 2023, the volume of Initial and Renewal pending claims is 46% lower in comparison to the same week last year, and the claims that are 28 days or older is 73% lower
• Service standard results for the Quebec region are expected to significantly improve moving forward
• In 2023 to 2024, as of April 30, 2023, 39,611 EI Initial and Renewal applications were received in Quebec and 48,323 were processed

Issue

Passport document and application process.

Background

• Passports provide Canadians with access to consular services abroad, confirmation of a right to return to Canada and facilitated crossings at automated border gates around the world.
• The integrity of the Canadian passport is internationally recognized and respected and is a key factor in maintaining safe, secure, and visa-free access to over 180 countries for Canadians.
• The Canadian Passport Order (CPO) dictates who is entitled to a regular (blue) passport, how it is issued, and when a passport can be refused, cancelled or revoked.
• As part of the passport issuance process, all required documentation is reviewed to ensure accuracy and determine applicant eligibility. Security checks are performed against Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Central Index file, which are used as a decision support mechanism for either issuing or refusing a passport to an individual .
• There are multiple Government of Canada departments involved in the delivery of the Passport Program:
  • Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): Accountable for the overall Passport Program. Is mandated by the Canadian Passport Order to issue, cancel, revoke, withhold and recover Canadian passports
  • Minister of Public Safety: Is responsible for passport cancellation, refusal and revocation in cases of terrorism and national security
  • Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC): Provides domestic service delivery (through Service Canada)
  • Global Affairs Canada (GAC): Provides passport services abroad through its consular service network

Key facts

• Canadians can submit completed paper applications for a passport by going to any of 317 Service Canada Centres, 21 passport offices or by mail
• As of May 8, 2023, 217 Scheduled Outreach sites offer passport services and this will continue to evolve
• Passport Officers or Citizen Service Officers review and validate the information provided by applicants to ensure completeness, including photos, supporting documents, signature, and payment information
• Documentary Evidence of Citizenship (DEC) is examined and validated
• A verification is completed with a guarantor and/or references when applicable. First-time applicants completing a general application must obtain a guarantor to confirm their identity
• Applications may be referred to IRCC for further review
• From January 1, 2022, until March 22, 2023, there were 210 misdirected mail cases assessed as privacy breaches of the 3,638,202 passports issued (or 0.006%)
• In 2021, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) conducted a formal investigation of Service Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and Global Affairs Canada (GAC) regarding passport privacy breaches. There were no material findings and OPC acknowledged that the error rate was very low (well below 1%)

Key messages

• The Passport Program follows an established process for identity management
• Applicants must submit supporting documents, photos, guarantors and references information to obtain a passport in accordance to Program requirements. These elements are key to ensuring the integrity of Canadian passports
• The Passport Program utilizes documents previously issued by other governmental authorities to determine identity
• General applications (such as, first time adult applicants, child applications) must meet very specific conditions in order to be processed and printed, such as:
  • authentication of identity to establish acceptable passport history
  • additional verifications
  • additional documents requested (that is custody documents)
• The majority of applications received are for first time adult and child applicants
• Employees are trained to identify fraudulent documents and are provided with information on known and emerging threats to the integrity and security of the Canadian passport
• Processes are in place for employees to inform Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada of any suspicious patterns or irregularities they may come across in the course of their daily duties
• When evidence of suspected fraudulent activity is found or reported, IRCC launches an investigation where Service Canada may provide support and information. Investigations may result in passport refusal and/or revocation
• Service Canada, in collaboration with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, continuously works to review and improve processes to ensure passport misuse and/or entitlement fraud does not occur
• Service Canada is committed to protecting personal information and understands the importance that Canadians place on the protection of their personal information. As responsible stewards of client information, Service Canada has well established procedures and processes around the management of personal information and the reporting of privacy breaches
• As per the Departmental Directive on Security Incidents Involving Personal Information (Privacy Breach), every case of mishandled correspondence is treated as a security incident and is individually assessed. Incidents assessed as material privacy breaches (real risk of harm) are reported to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner and to Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) per requirements
• As per Departmental policy, all clients who have been affected by a privacy breach are informed via formal letter which:
  • describes the circumstances of the incident
  • includes a contact person they can speak with
  • offers some suggestions on how they can further protect their information, and
  • in the most serious cases offers 2-year credit monitoring protection via Equifax

Context

Prior to the labour disruption, Service Canada had been delivering nearly all passports within our 10 and 20-day target, with approximately 99% issued within service standard regardless of intake method. As expected, the labour disruption had some impact on passport volumes, processing times and service standards.

Background

• To coordinate delivery of the Passport Program, service delivery approach is based on forecasts received from IRCC. The 2023 to 2024 forecast is between 4.3M and 4.9M
• This represents an increase in application volumes of 1.0M to 1.6M over the roughly 3.3M passports issued in 2022 to 2023
• Based on IRCC’s forecasts it is estimated that about 40% of the 2023 to 2024 forecast will be renewal applications. The proportion of renewals is expected to gradually increase from 33% in April 2023, to 45% in March 2024
• Service Canada grew the operational workforce (including support services) to over 2,700 employees during the 2022 to 2023 fiscal year. This growth was to meet current demands as well as the anticipated increase in future volumes
• At the end of the 2022 to 2023 fiscal year, the passport program was processing applications within service standard 99% of the time, meaning that 99% of passports regardless of intake channel were processed within the 10 and 20-business days service standard
• During the labour disruption that occurred between April 19 and 28, 2023, Service Canada received 27,920 applications, which represents approximately 81% fewer domestic passport applications than forecasted for this period, based on IRCC’s model
• For the same period just over 31,000 passports were issued. This includes essential applications received and issued during the labour disruption as well as passports that were received and printed before April 18th and picked up during the labour disruption
• Upon resumption of service, approximately 21,000 passport applications had fallen out of standard during the 8 business days
• In the first 2 weeks post labour disruption, the priority was placed on stabilizing the network to address the workload, workplace and workforce impacts of the labour disruption as well as processing the applications that had fallen out of standard. As of May 18th, less than 9,000 applications remain out of standard
• As expected, overall performance dipped below service standard temporarily as service resumed following the labour disruption

Key facts

Following the labour disruption (since May 1, 2023), the results show that our passport recovery strategies are working:

• wait times and line ups are under control as a result of proactive client communications and effective line management strategies
• week 1 post labour disruption (May 1-5, 2023) total intake was approximately 76,000 and week 2 (May 8 to 12, 2023) intake was approximately 86,000 – This is lower than the expected pent-up demand
• the overall inventory increased by 17,000 to a peak of 165,000 and has started to drop. As of May 18th the inventory is 160,000
• considering the number of passport applications Service Canada expects to receive annually as well as existing processing capacity, it is important to note that this is considered a “healthy” inventory in terms of total volume
  • for context, the inventory sat at 147,043 on April 19, 2023, and the inventory peaked at 531,000 during the crisis last summer (week of July 11th)
• the out of standard inventory has steadily dropped from the 21,000 peak on May 1, 2023 to about 9,000 as of May 18th
• in-person (10 day) service has essentially returned to the 90% of clients processed within 10 business days (as of May 18th 99% of clients that applied through an in-person office receive their passport within 10 business days)
• similarly, for mail (20 day) files, as of May 18th, 89% of clients that applied by mail received their passport within 20 business days. As of May 18th, there remains 9,000 applications that were received before the end of the labour disruption that are out of service standard
  • it is important to note that it is expected that some files will continue to age out of standard, as was the case before the labour disruption, however this volume will be low and expected to be within the 10% threshold for service standards

• * Data only includes May 18
• **Processing files that rolled out of standard during the labour disruption

Key messages

• Over the last year, Service Canada introduced a variety of new measures to improve passport service delivery and decrease wait times for Canadians while continuing to process the inventory of applications. These measures were leveraged before, during and after the labour disruption
• Although processing times were longer during the first week of recovery than they were pre-labour disruption, the network quickly recovered to 89% of Canadians who apply for passports via the mail channels receive their passports within 20 business days. 99% who apply in-person at a specialized passport office currently receive their passports under 10 business days (data as of May 18)
• Processing times continue to be communicated to clients on the passport website to assist them with determining when and where to submit their application

Issue

The first of the passports with 10-year expiry, issued in 2013, begin to require renewal in the 2023 to 2024 fiscal year.

Background

• Beginning in July 2013, Canadians were given a choice between a 5-year validity passport and a 10-year validity passport. Early applicants for the 10-year validity passports have begun to apply for new passports before their passports expire starting in July 2023
• Over the last year, Service Canada has taken several actions to improve passport services to Canadians:
  • increased the operational passport workforce to over 2,700
  • launched an appointment-booking tool that directs clients to the right location for service while continuously updating the Improving Passport Processing website with up-to-date statistics and wait times
  • implemented a triage system in metropolitan areas where required
  • promoted and informed clients of available service to request their application be prioritized and transferred to an office for pick-up due to upcoming travel
  • implemented simplified processing to replace expired passports (up to 15 years) as renewals rather than new applications
  • increased access to passport services, with the addition of 13 Service Canada Centres offering 10-day service
  • we have expanded the delivery of passport services to select scheduled outreach sites to help meet the passport needs of rural and remote communities
  • launched the new online Passport Status checker that allows clients to self-serve the status of their passport application
• These efforts ensure that Service Canada is well prepared for the volume increases associated with the first 10-year passport renewals in 2023

Key facts

• Service Canada expects to receive between 4.3 and 4.9 million passport applications during the 2023 to 2024 fiscal year.
  • of these, 1.7M to 2M are renewals
• In 2018, trend analysis demonstrated that 87% of adults were choosing the10-year validity option
• In-person services are now more reflective of a pre-COVID experience where line-ups are manageable and passports are delivered within service standards
• Prior to the labour disruption, Service Canada had been delivering nearly all passports within our 10 and 20-business days target, with approximately 99% issued within service standard:
  • 99% of Canadians who apply in-person at a specialized passport office currently receive their passports in less than 10 business days
  • for applications received by mail or at a Service Canada Centre, the 20-day service standard is being met 98% of the time
• IRCC forecasts that 32% of May 2023 volumes will be for renewal applications. So far this month, Service Canada has seen 37% of applications as renewals

Key messages

• As a result of the expiration of the 10-year validity passports, passport volumes are expected to increase:
  • fiscal years 2023 to 2024 and 2024 to 2025 to about 4.3M to 4.9M
  • stabilize for 2025 to 2026, 2026 to 2027 and 2027 to 2028 between 3.5M and 4.6M
  • then reduce to about 2.8M to 3.4M for the rest of the 10-year cycle from 2028 to 2029, to 2032 to 2033
• Renewal applications tend to be quicker and less complicated to review and entitle
• Efforts and resources deployed to manage the increase in passport applications in 2022 are now focused on maintaining service standards and anticipating growth in application volumes as 10-year validity passports, which were first issued in summer 2013, become eligible for renewal later this year
• Service Canada is well positioned to handle the increased volume of applications expected as a result of 10-year renewals

Issue

Service Canada maintains a network of in-person points of service across the country to support Canadians with personalized access to a wide range of government services and benefits.

Background

• 96% of Canadians have access to various services from Service Canada within a 50 km radius of where they live
• The in-person network consists of 316 Service Canada centres; 247 scheduled outreach sites (217 reactivated as of May 8, 2023); 15 service delivery partner sites; and, 21 passport service sites
• Scheduled Outreach sites offer, on a scheduled basis, all the services available at a Service Canada Centre in rural and remote locations
• Service Canada’s Community Outreach and Liaison Service builds relationships and provides support to Indigenous communities and vulnerable client segments to increase access to programs, services and benefits, for clients who face distinct barriers to program access
• The Service Canada Outreach Support Centre is a toll-free telephone service that ensures access to service for Indigenous communities and other vulnerable clients, such as seniors and persons with disabilities, facing barriers to accessing ESDC’s programs and benefits
• Service Canada Centre locations, including office sizes, are strategically determined after a detailed analysis of community needs and client demand, and considers forecasted volumes throughout the year, stakeholder engagement and alignment with Departmental priorities

Key facts

• Service Canada offers an integrated approach to service delivery, providing Canadians with continuous access to government programs and services online, by phone, by mail, and in person
• Information about Service Canada programs, services and benefits are available online at www.canada.ca/service-canada-home and online services, such as My Service Canada Account, are accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Services by phone are accessible from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm local time at 1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232)
• Canadians now also have access to additional services such as:
  • ServiceCanada online request form (eServiceCanada)
  • Social Insurance Number online (eSIN)
  • Outreach Support Centre
• Through the ongoing Passport Expansion of Expedited Service initiative, 14 additional sites are now offering 10-day passport service, including Prince George which is offering this service as of May 17
  • the Expedited Service allows for clients to be able to obtain their passport within 10 days (plus mailing time), instead of the regular 20 days processing timeframe
  • this initiative will help improve the client experience and will significantly increase the access to expedited service across the country
  • by the end of the expansion initiative, 85% of Canadians will have access to Passport pick-up within 100 km of their residence

Key messages

• Service Canada offers an integrated approach to service delivery, providing Canadians with continuous access to Government of Canada programs and services by phone, online, by mail, and in person
• Service Canada provides access to a wide range of programs and services through its in-person network including, Service Canada Centres (SCC), SCC-Passport Services (SCC-PS), Scheduled Outreach, Community Outreach and Liaison Service
• The in-person service delivery network consists of over 600 points of services across the country
• Service Canada continually assesses the needs of its clients and communities to ensure that its services align with client demand and remain responsive to the needs of Canadians
• eServiceCanada is an online service that mirrors the services available to clients who usually come into a Service Canada Centre. Through eServiceCanada, clients can book and appointment to avoid waiting in line and can request help online and are then contacted by telephone by a representative within 2 business days
• Canadians who require in-person services should consult the Find a Service Canada Office webpage to find services close to their home

Passport issuance

• The Canadian passport is a fundamental document of citizenship and is recognized around the world. The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring passport services are quick, efficient and modern. We are working hard to give Canadians a seamless experience, from the moment they apply until the passport is delivered.
• Three Government of Canada departments contribute to the issuance of passports:
  • Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is responsible and accountable for the administration and the enforcement of the Canadian Passport Program
  • Employment and Social Development Canada provides domestic passport service delivery
  • Global Affairs Canada provides international passport service delivery

Impacts to passport services from COVID-19 pandemic

In the past, the passport program maintained domestic service standards (99% of all applications issued within standard), met client expectations and experienced very few deviations in operational efficacy; however, over the period of the COVID-19 pandemic:

• the volume of passport applications was relatively low, due to a reduction in travel following the imposition of public health restrictions and travel advisories, and
• As international travel restrictions eased, demand for passport services resulted in a rapid increase of applications beginning in 2022. A combination of factors contributed to a backlog of passport applications, causing delays

2022 to 2023 Backlog elimination

• Over the past year, Service Canada introduced a variety of new measures to improve passport service delivery and decrease wait times for Canadians. This resulted in significant strides in returning the passport program to a steady state by eliminating the previous backlog, consistently meeting service standards, and adding a large amount of processing capacity
• Service Canada grew the operational workforce (including support services) to over 2,700 employees during the 2022 to 2023 fiscal year. This growth was to meet current demands as well as the anticipated increase in future volumes
• At the end of the 2022 to 2023 fiscal year, the backlog was eliminated, the passport program was processing applications within service standard 99% of the time, meaning that 99% of passports, regardless of intake channel, were processed within the 10 and 20-business days service standard

Impacts to passport services from April 2023 labour disruption

• While the labour disruption that occurred between April 19 and April 28, 2023 did impact passport services, we were in a strong position to recover quickly and ensure Canadians receive the passport service they have rightly come to expect
• During the labour disruption Service Canada received 27,920 applications, which represents approximately 81% fewer domestic passport applications than forecasted for this period, based on IRCC’s model

Preparedness for 10-year passport renewals

• Beginning in July 2013, Canadians were given a choice between a 5-year validity passport and a 10-year validity passport. Early applicants for the 10-year validity passports have begun to apply for new passports before their passports expire starting in July 2023
• Action taken all along 2022 to 2023 ensure that Service Canada is well prepared for the volume increases associated with the first 10-year passport renewals in 2023 to 2024

Issue

Commitment to develop a National School Food Policy.

Background

Budget 2022 reaffirmed the December 2021 mandate commitment for the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development to work with provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous partners, and stakeholders over the next year to develop a National School Food Policy and to explore how more Canadian children can receive nutritious food at school.

In fall 2022, the Government of Canada began consultations with provincial and territorial governments, municipalities, Indigenous partners and stakeholders on a National School Food Policy. Consultations included roundtables with diverse stakeholders and an online public questionnaire for all Canadians to provide their views, which closed in December. Engagement sessions with children on school food, facilitated by Children First Canada, are planned for the end of May and beginning of June.

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) are working together to deliver on this commitment. Current work involves policy analysis and development, working with federal partners, and ongoing engagement with provinces and territories, and Indigenous partners.

Key facts

School food programs have been found to contribute to the wellbeing of children, their families, and communities in various ways, including increasing children’s consumption of healthy foods and positively influencing children’s eating patterns, thereby helping young people to establish lifelong healthy eating practices. They have also been found to improve student behaviour and sense of belonging; increase school attendance, completion, and scholastic achievement; and, support local farmers, economies, sustainable food systems and practices.

School food programs are also social equalizers. As a complement to income security measures, school food programs can reduce pressures off family budgets and play a role in supporting the approximately 1.4 million (1 in 5) children and youth under 18 years living in food insecure households (Canadian Income Survey, 2020), who are disproportionately racialized, Indigenous or living in low income households. They can also help address inequities in access to healthy food as children living in food-insecure households are more likely to experience poorer nutrition and to consume ultra-processed foods than children living in food secure households.

School meal programs exist in some form in all provinces and territories and in many Indigenous communities, with programming varying greatly in scope, coverage, and quality. While current school food program data is limited, the best available estimate is that school meal programs reach a minimum of 21% of school-age children. In addition to funding from provincial and territorial governments, most programs heavily rely on volunteers, community groups, parents, charities, and private sector donations. During engagement, stakeholders emphasized that a lack of funding for non-food related costs (for example, infrastructure, staffing) and an overreliance on volunteers means that current programming is unsustainable.

School food programming, with the exception of First Nations on-reserve, falls under provincial/territorial jurisdiction, however the Government of Canada has provided some funding to support school food initiatives.

• For example, the Healthy Canadians and Communities Fund delivered by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has invested an estimated $12 million in funding to support 4 healthy eating projects in schools.
• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC’s) Emergency Food Security Fund has also provided approximately $12 million in funding to support more than 800 food projects in schools across the country, including school breakfast and meal programs.
• Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) provides funding to school food initiatives for First Nations and Inuit children through Jordan’s Principle and the Inuit Children First Initiative, respectively. They also have long-term flexible funding arrangements, also known as Northern Wellness Agreements, established in the Northwest Territories and in Nunavut, which are used to fund school food initiatives.

Consultations with diverse stakeholders and the Canadian public, and a review of international and domestic best practices will inform the National School Food Policy. These engagement and research activities have highlighted that school meal programs can have multiple social, health, environmental and economic benefits and play an important role in increasing access to nutritious food.

Key messages

Children deserve access to healthy, nutritious food to help them learn and reach their full potential. Yet, up to 1 in 5 young people report going to school or bed hungry at least sometimes because there is not enough food at home.

The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and I have a shared commitment to work with provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous partners and stakeholders over the next year to develop a National School Food Policy and explore how more Canadian children can receive nutritious food at school.

Over the past year, we have been engaging with provinces, territories, Indigenous partners, municipalities, stakeholders, and Canadians on a National School Food Policy. Through this process, we have heard from over 200 stakeholders and received 5,200 responses from Canadians coast-to-coast-to-coast through our online questionnaire.

Going forward, we will continue to work with provinces, territories, Indigenous partners, and key stakeholders, including children and youth, to deliver on this important and ongoing commitment.

Issue

Budget 2023 is proposing to provide $25 million in 2024 to 2025 for the SBBCI. How will black-led communities benefit from this funding.

Background

• In 2018, the Prime Minister recognized the United Nations Decade for People of African Descent (UNDPAD) and committed the Government of Canada to learn more about the issues facing Black Canadians; to improve research and data collection for evidence-based policy; and to invest in the empowerment of Black Canadians
• As part of this commitment, Budget 2019 provided $25M over 5 years to establish the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative (SBCCI) with a mandate to take targeted measures to address systemic anti-Black racism; and to build capacity and foundational infrastructure within Black Canadian communities
• Budget 2021 announced an additional investment of $100M in the SBCCI, and $200M to establish the Black-led Philanthropic Endowment Fund to empower and to support Black-led charities and organizations serving youth and social initiatives
• Budget 2022 provided an additional $50M over 2 years, starting in 2022 to 2023, to continue to empower Black-led and Black-serving community organizations and the work they do to promote inclusiveness. It also called for the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development to explore further options to continue supporting capacity building within Black-led and Black-serving community organizations in the long term
• Budget 2023 proposes to provide $25 million, in 2024 to 2025, to continue empowering Black-led and Black-serving community organizations and the work they do to promote inclusiveness

Key facts

• Research indicates that Black communities in Canada continue to experience persistent inequities in income and employment while also facing a higher likelihood of discrimination
• To address these barriers and inequities for the Black community, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) has advanced a number of key initiatives that aim to empower Black communities and Black-led organizations across Canada
• For example, the Department has established a National Funders Network of 4 Black-led organizations to support the capacity building of Black-led and Black-serving community-based organizations
• To date, the National Funders Network has awarded over $50M to 939 Black-led and Black-serving community-based organizations across Canada. This support has been instrumental in helping to strengthen these organizations and increase the scope and impact of their programming and services in Black communities
• The National Funders Network empowers Black-led and Black-serving community-based organizations and the communities they serve through various activities including outreach and inclusion, youth programming, job creation, economic initiatives, health and wellness, and entrepreneurship
• Through the capital assistance stream of the SBCCI, the Department has also invested over $82M in over 1,370 projects in communities across Canada to assist Black-led and Black-serving community-based organizations with renovations and equipment purchases
• The SBCCI’s External Reference Group (ERG) was launched on November 7, 2022
• The mandate of the ERG is to support the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and ESDC in the implementation of the SBCCI by:
  • providing advice on promoting Black community organizations’ inclusion and removing barriers to the full participation of Black Canadians in all aspects of Canada’s economic and social life
  • providing advice on current and new issues affecting Black Canadians and their communities, and
  • supporting the Government of Canada’s efforts to advance the commitments related to the UNDPAD
• To support emerging priorities and important initiatives that address specific needs in Black communities, ESDC provided $2.2M in SBCCI funding to renovate and transform the Nova Scotia Home for Coloured Children into an accessible community hub for the African-Nova Scotian community
• The site reopened on October 23, 2022, as the Kinney Place, an incubator for Black business and an intergenerational hub for the community

Key messages

• ESDC has advanced a number of key initiatives to support the capacity building of Black-led and Black-serving community-based organizations and improve their workplaces and spaces
• To date, the National Funders Network has awarded over $50M to 939 Black-led and Black-serving community-based organizations across Canada to support their activities. In addition, investments over $82M have benefited over 1,370 Black-led and Black-serving community-based organizations to renovate and purchase equipment to better serve their communities
• To continue empowering Black-led and Black-serving community-based organizations and to promote inclusiveness, the Department will provide $25M in 2023 to 2024 to take targeted measures to address systemic anti-Black racism; and to build capacity and foundational infrastructure within Black Canadian communities
• In accordance with the “By Us, For Us” guiding principle, the Department will engage with Black communities and organizations to determine the priorities that should be addressed with the Budget 2023 funding to ensure that it meet their needs and priorities and bring positive benefits to Black communities across Canada by removing systemic barriers and tackling anti-Black racism

Issue

Canada’s Poverty Reduction Strategy, Opportunity for All, sets a target of reducing poverty by 50% by 2030, relative to 2015 levels (enshrined via the Poverty Reduction Act (2019)).

Background

On December 16, 2021, the Prime Minister mandated the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development to continue leading implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by the United Nations through the delivery of Canada’s Poverty Reduction Strategy and other measures.

Following the release of Opportunity for All in 2018, the Poverty Reduction Act (2019) enshrined the following elements into law:

• Canada’s Official Poverty Line, which is based on the Market Basket Measure (MBM)
• poverty reduction targets corresponding to a 20% reduction in poverty by 2020 and a 50% reduction by 2030, compared to 2015 levels, and
• the National Advisory Council on Poverty, which provides independent advice to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development on poverty reduction, and reports on the Government’s progress toward meeting its poverty reduction targets

The Strategy brings together significant investments that the Government has made since 2015 to support the social and economic well-being of all Canadians. These investments include funding for key poverty reduction initiatives, such as the Canada Child Benefit, the increase to the Guaranteed Income Supplement top-up and the National Housing Strategy. The Canada Child Benefit alone represents an investment of more than $25 billion per year.

Key facts

• The results of the 2021 Canadian Income Survey were released on May 2, 2023
• As measured by Canada’s Official Poverty Line, the overall poverty rate in Canada, was 7.4% in 2021, up from 6.4% in 2020. The increase in the overall poverty rate between 2020 and 2021 reflects the phaseout of key temporary COVID-19 emergency income supports provided in 2020, most notably the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), as well as the onset of higher inflation rates in 2021. Approximately 400,000 more Canadians were living in poverty in 2021 compared to 2020
• This rate is below the 2019 pre-pandemic rate of 10.3% and represents a 49% decrease in the poverty rate compared to 2015 (14.5%), the baseline year for Canada’s legislated poverty reduction targets
• Between 2015 and 2021, close to 2.3 million Canadians were lifted out of poverty - including 653,000 children and 11,000 seniors. This represents a 49% decrease in poverty compared to 2015 (14.5%), the baseline year for Canada’s legislated poverty reduction targets

Key messages

Opportunity for All, Canada’s First Poverty Reduction Strategy, lays out a vision of a Canada without poverty and the Government of Canada’s poverty reduction efforts are showing positive effects.

The latest release of the Canadian Income Survey shows that Canada’s overall poverty rate was 7.4% in 2021. This means that there are 2.3 million fewer people living in poverty in 2021 compared to 2015, including 653,000 children and 11,000 seniors. This represents a 49% decrease in poverty compared to 2015 (14.5%), the baseline year for Canada’s legislated poverty reduction targets.

The Government remains committed to reaching its goal of a 50% reduction in poverty by 2030 and will continue to support Canadians to make life more affordable, and build a strong economy that benefits all Canadians.

Issue

When will community service organizations be able to access funding from the Community Services Recovery Fund?

Background

• Community service organizations, including charities, non-profits and Indigenous governing bodies, are at the forefront of addressing communities’ needs. However, since the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, community service organizations have struggled with increased demand for services, reduced revenues, declines in charitable giving due to the rising cost of living, and a greater need to make use of digital tools
• To address these concerns, Budget 2021 announced the Community Services Recovery Fund (CSRF) – a one-time, $400 million investment that helps community service organizations adapt, modernize and be better equipped to improve the efficacy, accessibility and sustainability of the services that they provide, so they can continue to support communities across Canada through pandemic recovery and beyond
• The Government of Canada selected 3 National Funders to deliver the CSRF – the Canadian Red Cross, Community Foundations of Canada, and United Way Centraide Canada. The National Funders are responsible for assessing applications and distributing funding to eligible community service organizations
• The CSRF builds on the successful model used for the implementation of the Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF). Whereas the ECSF focused primarily on supporting charities and non-profit organizations that delivered essential services to vulnerable Canadian populations during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CSRF aims to help community service organizations adapt, modernize and build internal organizational capacity for post-pandemic recovery

Key facts

• The CSRF is funding one-time projects designed to modernize and position community service organizations for post-pandemic recovery. The amount each eligible project receives depends on National Funder program/assessment criteria. Community service organizations applying to a Local Stream could apply for $10,000 to $200,000 in funding, while those applying to a National/Provincial/Territorial Stream could apply for $20,000 to $500,000 in funding
• The Community Services Recovery Fund (CSRF) was open for funding applications from community service organizations from January 6 to February 21, 2023
• National Funders are in the process of informing applicants of the results of their application and distributing funding

Key messages

• The Government of Canada is delivering the Community Services Recovery Fund (CSRF) through 3 National Funders (Canadian Red Cross, Community Foundations of Canada and United Way Centraide Canada) who are responsible for assessing applications and distributing funding to eligible community service organizations, including charities, non-profits, and Indigenous governing bodies, providing services in communities across Canada
• The National Funders are reporting that while there were many strong applications submitted to this program, the demand has exceeded the funding available
• Community service organizations may receive funding for projects starting as early as May 1, 2023. All projects will end by June 30, 2024
• A list of funded Community Services Recovery Fund projects will be available on the National Funders’ Community Services Recovery Fund website in summer 2023, once all applicants have been notified of their application status

Alternate format

Text version of Figure 1

Figure on the left: ESDC total planned spending is $185.9 billion

• EI Benefits planned spending is $23.4 billion or 12.6% of total planned spending
• CPP Benefits planned spending is $62.3 billion or 33.5% of total planned spending
• Other EI and CPP Recoveries and Workers Compensation planned spending is $3.6 billion or 1.9% of total planned spending
• EI and CPP Operating Costs planned spending is $2.4 billion or 1.3% of total planned spending
• Main Estimates represents $94.2 billion or 50.7% of total planned spending

Figure on the right: ESDC Main Estimates is $94.2 billion

• Statutory planned spending is $83.0 billion or 88% of total Main Estimates
• Vote 1 – Operating Expenditures planned spending is $1.3 billion or 1% of total Main Estimates
• Vote 5 – Grants and Contributions planned spending is $9.9 billion or 11% of total Main Estimates

Of the $185.9 billion in planned spending for 2023 to 2024, $167.7 billion (90%) directly benefits Canadians through the following statutory transfer payment programs:

• Old Age Security = $76.6 billion
• Canada Pension Plan = $62.3 billion
• Employment Insurance = $23.4 billion
• Canada Student Grants and Loans, and Canada Apprentice Loans = $3.3 billion
• Canada Education Savings Program = $1.2 billion
• Canada Disability Savings Program = $0.9 billion
• Total = $167.7 billion

Of the $9.9 billion in voted grants and contributions included in ESDC’s 2023 to 2024 Main Estimates, the following programs fall under the responsibility of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development:

• Early Learning and Child Care = $6,121.8 million
• Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Transformation Initiative = $391.9 million
• Social Innovation and Social Finance Strategy = $113.4 million
• Social Development Partnership Program^{Footnote 1} = $48.4 million
• Canadian Benefit for Parents of Young Victims of Crime = $10.0 million
• Sustainable Development Goals Funding Program = $4.6 million

Text version of Figure 2

• ESDC has 338 Service Canada Centres (including Passport Offices – consolidated and standalone)
• ESDC has 247 Scheduled Outreach sites (190 reactivated as of March 6, 2023)
• ESDC has 15 Service Delivery Partner sites

ESDC footprint has a total of 397 sites, which include the above Service Canada Centres, general office spaces, passport print, processing and call centre locations.

As of April 1, 2023, ESDC’s total number of Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs) (including Passport employees) is 36,976.

Alternate format

ESDC is requesting a total of $1,478.6 million in additional authorities through the Supplementary Estimates (C), which would bring the total planned spending to $176.6 billion.

Text version of Figure 3

Figure on the left: ESDC total planned spending is $176.6 billion

• Employment Insurance (EI) Benefits planned spending is $24.8 billion or 14.0% of total planned spending
• Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Benefits planned spending is $57.3 billion or 32.5% of total planned spending
• Other EI and CPP Recoveries and Workers Compensation planned spending is $2.5 billion or 1.4% of total planned spending
• EI and CPP Operating Costs planned spending is $2.8 billion or 1.6% of total planned spending
• Estimates to date (Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates A, B and C) represents $89.2 billion or 50.5% of total planned spending

Figure on the right: ESDC Estimates to date is $89.2 billion

• Statutory planned spending is $76.9 billion or 86% of total Estimates to date
• Vote 1 – Operating Expenditures planned spending is $1.6 billion or 2% of total Estimates to date
• Vote 5 – Grants and Contributions planned spending is $10.7 billion or 12% of total Estimates to date

Of the $176.6 billion in planned spending for 2022 to 2023, $89.2 billion is reported in the Estimates, of which $87.6 billion are statutory and voted transfer payment programs. Here are a few programs included in ESDC’s Estimates to date:

• Old Age Security Program = $69,003.0 million
• Early Learning and Child Care Program = $5,031.1 million
• One-Time Payment for Guaranteed Income Supplement Recipients who received Pandemic Benefits = $747.5 million
• Social Development Partnerships Program = $450.6 million
• Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Transformation Initiative = $407.0 million
• Social Innovation and Social Finance Program = $137.2 million
• Canadian Benefit for Parents of Young Victims of Crime = $10.0 million
• Sustainable Development Goals Funding Program = $4.6 million
• Universal Child Care Benefit = $1.6 million

Of the $1,478.6 million requested through Supplementary Estimates (C), the following items fall under the responsibility of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development:

• Funding to increase Old Age Security workload capacity = $41.1 million
• Funding for the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative (Budget 2022) = $24.9 million
• Funding to stabilize information technology to support program delivery = $6.7 million^{Footnote 2}
• Funding for strong and effective fraud prevention, detection and enforcement controls in departmental benefit programs =$1.8 million^{Footnote 2}
• Transfer from Indigenous Services and Public Health Agency for the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Transformation Initiative = $2.6 million
• Transfer to Infrastructure Canada for the Reaching Home Results Reporting Platform = $-0.9 million
• Transfer to Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs to support Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care = $-4.0 million
• Statutory adjustment to Universal Child Care Benefit = $0.9 million

Progress – commitment 1

Agreements have been signed with all jurisdictions and include a commitment to reduce fees by an average of 50%, with the exception of Yukon and Quebec that were delivering regulated child care for $10-a-day or less prior to the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care system’s creation.

Six jurisdictions—Quebec, Yukon, Nunavut, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba—have regulated child care fees at $10-a-day or less.

All jurisdictions, except for 1, met the 50% fee reduction by December 31, 2022. The last remaining jurisdiction, Manitoba, achieved $10-a-day for regulated child care effective April 2, 2023, exceeding the 50% fee reduction target.

As of April 5th, 2023, provinces and territories have announced the creation of over 50,000 new child care spaces under the Canada-wide agreements. Furthermore, New Brunswick and Yukon reported having hired 1,308 and 81 new early childhood educators respectively. To achieve our targets, provincial and territorial action plans include recruitment and retention measures to support early childhood educators.

Next steps – commitment 1

Implementation Committees with provinces and territories (except Quebec) will continue to report to the Government of Canada and their respective jurisdictions on progress to date on shared Early Learning and Child Care goals.

The negotiation of the 2023 to 2024, to 2025 to 2026 action plans is underway, except with Quebec, due to their asymmetrical agreement, and Ontario, whose current action plan is in place from 2022 to 2023, to 2023 to 2024.

Provinces and territories (except Quebec) will report annually on progress toward shared goals, which is expected in October of each year.

Progress – commitment 2

Legislation was introduced in Parliament on December 8, 2022.

Next steps – commitment 2

If the Bill is passed and receives Royal Assent, the department will be prepared to implement the new Act as required.

Progress – commitment 3

• Members of the Council were announced on November 24, 2022
• The first in-person meeting of the Council was held on January 30 and January 31, 2023
• Second meeting was held on April 20, 2023

Next steps – commitment 3

Next meeting is planned for May 26, 2023.

Progress – commitment 4

On October 14, 2022, the 2022 Survey on Before-and-After-School Care in Canada was released, providing a snapshot of before-and after-school care services and use across the country.

On November 28, 2022, Nova Scotia announced reductions in fees for before-and after-school care programs for school-aged children.

On March 3^rd, 2023, Manitoba announced that $10-a-day child care will be available for all children under 12 years of age, including before-and-after school care. This change (which is provincially funded) took effect April 2, 2023.

Next steps – commitment 4

Work continues with provinces and territories to explore options to support them in reducing before-and-after-school care fees alongside existing Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care investments, including through research and the monitoring of results of the current bilateral agreements.

Progress – commitment 5

The Federal Secretariat was formally launched in August 2021, resources have been secured, and the Secretariat is operational.

Next steps – commitment 5

N/A

Progress – commitment 6

Implementation is underway with Indigenous and federal delivery partners and with provinces and territories to ensure that children have access to culturally appropriate Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care programs and services that meet the needs of Indigenous families wherever they live.

Co-developed annual plans identifying priority areas of investment continue to be implemented on a rolling basis and are guiding investments in Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care programs and services that are reaching over 35,000 Indigenous children. Early priorities include enhancing operating funding at Early Learning and Child Care centres, which supports training and retaining a skilled workforce and curriculum development to enable high-quality, culturally relevant Indigenous ELCC programming in a variety of settings.

Since 2019, a total of 32 quality-improvement projects have been funded. These will continue to advance the implementation of the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework through best practices and innovation.

A new call for proposals for quality-improvement projects was launched in winter and closed on April 14, 2023. Review of proposals is underway.

Funding to support before-and after-school programming is being delivered through Indigenous Services Canada’s Elementary and Secondary Education Program.

First Nations, Inuit and Métis governments and organizations are leading the way by building Indigenous-led Early Learning and Child Care specific governance through national and regional partnership tables as a first step toward transfer and to support greater Indigenous participation in establishing a Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care system.

Discussions continue to advance among willing provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous governments and partners to identify shared priorities in the development of a Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care system, specifically to help ensure that Phase II of the Action Plans reflect Indigenous leadership priorities.

Engagement is underway with Indigenous governments to identify Infrastructure priorities, with funding from Budget 2021 and a subsequent Budget 2023 fiscal framework reprofile providing $420 million over 4 years starting in 2023 to 2024 and $21 million ongoing available to support a growing Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care sector. These investments will help improve access to high quality, culturally appropriate ELCC programming for Indigenous children and families, and demonstrate progress towards the creation of 3,300 new spaces.

Departments have funded over 500 proposals for repairs and renovations for existing federally funded daycares and Head Start centres between 2022 to 2023 and 2024 to 2025.

Next steps – commitment 6

Employment and Social Development Canada will:

• continue to work with Indigenous partners to advance the co-developed goals of the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework and establish a Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care system that meets the needs of Indigenous children wherever they live
• continue to advance Indigenous-led priorities, including: expanding the availability and accessibility of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis-specific programming; building human resources capacity and retaining a valued workforce; and promoting best practices to improve Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care through quality improvement project funding
• continue to strengthen Indigenous-led Early Learning and Child Care governance through national and regional partnership tables as a first step toward the goal of transferring control of child care services to Indigenous partners
• continue to support co-development activities and enable participation alongside provinces and territories in building an Early Learning and Child Care system that includes Indigenous children
• between summer and fall, submitted proposals for quality-improvement projects will be reviewed, with announcements targeted for fall and funding expected to flow later in 2023 to 2024
• continue repairs and renovations to existing federally funded daycares and Head Start centres with a focus on health and safety improvements and advancing needs assessments. By the end of 2023, federal departments will finalize the review of project assessment processes to enable a timely flow of funding to Indigenous communities in 2023 to 2024 and 2024 to 2025

Progress – commitment 7

After concluding a public solicited Call for Proposals in February 2022, 3 organizations—the Canadian Red Cross, Community Foundations of Canada and United Way Centraide Canada—were selected to act as National Funders to redistribute funds to charities and non-profits. Contribution agreements were signed with the National Funders in early November, and they were publicly announced on November 22, 2022.

On February 6th, Employment and Social Development Canada finalized the Canada-Quebec agreement outlining the terms and conditions under which the program will be implemented in Quebec, and obtained the M-30 exemption for Quebec based Community Service Organizations applying for Community Services Recovery Fund funding.

The funding application process for Community Service Organizations closed on February 21, 2023. National Funders are in the process of informing applicants of the results of their application and distributing funding.

Next steps – commitment 7

The assessment of applications for funding and flow of funds to successful projects will be completed by summer 2023.

A list of funded Community Services Recovery Fund projects will be available on the National Funders’ Community Services Recovery Fund website in summer 2023.

Progress – commitment 8

A competitive process to select professional investment managers who will receive funding to implement the Social Finance Fund has concluded. Employment and Social Development Canada entered into conditionally repayable and non-repayable contributions with 3 wholesalers (investment fund managers) in late March 2023. Funding is being deployed from Employment and Social Development Canada to those wholesalers who will, in turn, start investing in social finance intermediaries (likely in fall of 2023).

The launch of the Investment Readiness Program (IRP) was officially announced on July 18, 2022. The program is being implemented by 26 organizations who have agreements with Employment and Social Development Canada.

• the Readiness Support Partners (Stream 1) are delivering grants to Social Purpose Organizations to develop their capacity to access social finance and diversify their income. It is anticipated that between 400 to 500 Social Purpose Organizations will be funded through the program, receiving over $27 million
• the Ecosystem Builders (Stream 2) are conducting projects to strengthen the social finance market in Canada and make it more inclusive and diversified

The members of the Social Innovation Advisory Council were announced on February 1st, and the inaugural meeting was held.

Next steps – commitment 8

On May 29 2023, Social Finance Fund wholesalers (investment managers) will be announced.

Investment Readiness Program Readiness Support Partners have announced most of their selected projects and Social Purpose Organizations will complete their investment readiness capacity building activities by March 2024 and funding will begin to flow to selected organizations (spring and summer 2023).

Progress – commitment 9

In July 2022, Canada’s 2021 Annual Report on progress related to the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals was released, and Minister Gould led Canada’s delegation to the United Nations Forum on Sustainable Development.

In December 2022, the Canada.ca 2030 Agenda webpage was updated to inform Canadians of the federal government’s work to advance the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals.

Canada committed to submitting the 2nd Voluntary National Review to the United Nations at the upcoming High Level Political Forum in July 2023 which takes stock on how Canada is doing in implementing the 2030 Agenda. This review will inform how the second half of the 2030 Agenda is implemented in Canada and abroad.

The 2020, 2021, and 2022 reports of the National Advisory Council on Poverty were tabled in Parliament.

The Poverty Reduction Strategy sets a goal of a 20% reduction in poverty by 2020, and a 50% reduction in poverty by 2030, relative to 2015 levels. The 2030 goal is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on poverty (SDG 1 – No Poverty).

Canada has met its interim target of reducing poverty by 20% by 2020, relative to 2015 levels.

On May 2, 2023, results from the 2021 Canadian Income Survey were released, including poverty rates. Results from the 2021 Canadian Income Survey show that the overall poverty rate in Canada, as measured by Canada’s Official Poverty Line, was 7.4% in 2021, up from 6.4% in 2020.

The 2021 rate represents a 49% decrease in the overall poverty rate compared to 2015 (14.5%), the baseline year for Canada’s legislated poverty reduction targets. There were close to 2.3 million fewer people living in poverty in 2021 compared to 2015.

The increase in the overall poverty rate between 2020 and 2021 reflects the phaseout of key temporary COVID-19 emergency income supports provided in 2020, most notably the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, as well as the onset of higher inflation rates in 2021. Approximately 400,000 more Canadians were living in poverty in 2021 compared to 2020.

Employment and Social Development Canada continues to monitor a number of trends in the economy and government policy changes that may impact poverty rates, including the impact of recent increases in the cost of living.

Next steps – commitment 9

Canada’s second Voluntary National Review will be prepared to be presented in July 2023 at the United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.

In July 2023, Minister Gould will lead Canada’s delegation to the United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.

The 2023 progress report of the National Advisory Council on Poverty will be presented to Minister Gould by September 30, and thereafter tabled in each House of Parliament on any of the first 15 days on which that House is sitting after the Minister receives the report.

Progress – commitment 10

Meetings have taken place with stakeholders and experts (that is, national and regional service providers, school boards and administrators, nutrition experts, academics, parents, and municipalities), Indigenous partners, as well as with representatives from provinces and territories.

An online questionnaire was launched from November 16 to December 16, 2022, to seek the views of all Canadians on a National School Food Policy. The questionnaire garnered over 5,200 responses from parents, teachers, school administrators, service delivery providers, and interested organizations. Written submissions are also being accepted with over 70 received to date.

Employment and Social Development Canada is also seeking to engage with First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners to gauge interest, perspectives and needs with regard to a National School Food Policy.

The purpose of engagement is to gain a better understanding of the current school food landscape and hear the views of stakeholders on the most important objectives and principles to reflect in a National School Food Policy.

Next steps – commitment 10

Engagement will continue with stakeholders, provinces and territories, Indigenous partners and Canadian children in order to inform the development of a National School Food Policy.

The views of children will be gathered through sessions designed specifically to solicit their views in a child-appropriate way.

Following engagement, a ‘What we Heard’ Report will be released outlining engagement findings.

Progress – commitment 11

Employment and Social Development Canada continues to explore different avenues to meet the commitments outlined in both the Minister of Seniors’ and Minister of Families, Children and Social Development’s Mandate letters.

Seniors currently have multiple points of access to some, but not all, government programs (for example, Old Age Security, Canada Pension Plan, etc.) by telephone (1 800 O-Canada), in-person through Service Canada centres, through outreach activities, and through eService Canada.

In addition, through the Community and Outreach Liaison Service, Service Canada offers alternative service delivery options (including access to the Outreach Support Centre, toll-free line) to vulnerable clients, including seniors, by working directly with community organizations to reach seniors who may not otherwise be able to access regular channels.

Improvements continue to be made to provide seniors with more centralized access to government services.

Next steps – commitment 11

Work will continue to ensure that seniors have access to the services and benefits that they need.

Progress – commitment 12

As part of the Benefits Delivery Modernization Programme, Employment and Social Development Canada continued activities to advance a new Common Benefits Delivery Platform that will support the onboarding of the first benefits (Old Age Security). Foundational elements required to begin the onboarding of Old Age Security were completed in October 2022 and the Foundations phase is now closed.

The plan to address recommendations from the government’s Chief Information Officer and the Benefits Delivery Modernization Programme is being implemented. Sixteen of 22 items are complete and the remaining 6 items are expected to be completed by end of June 2023.

Old Age Security remains on track for the first of 3 releases onto the Common Benefit Delivery platform, with a target to go live with Release 1 in June 2023.

Technical Debt Remediation Initiatives continue to advance so that the department’s IT infrastructure will be more secure and able to provide reliable services to Canadians.

• Employment and Social Development Canada completed Disaster Recovery solution designs for more than 60 Information Technology applications supporting Employment Insurance, as well as technical recovery plans for all critical applications and systems that support the delivery of pensions
• Employment and Social Development Canada continued to advance network modernization, which included partial onboarding of regional communication hubs to improve network performance and operationalizing the Government of Canada Secret Infrastructure across sites in the National Capital Region

Next steps – commitment 12

Continue working towards onboarding of the Old Age Security program onto the Common Benefits Delivery platform by December 2024.

By March 2024, Employment and Social Development Canada will:

• make further improvements to the department’s security through adoption of Government of Canada secure infrastructure by increasing users onboarded in the National Capital Region and expanding the platform to select regional offices
• implement a new secure remote access solution to improve network reliability, performance, and security for the department’s remote employees

Progress – commitment 13

Four clickable prototypes were developed and tested internally, and with external stakeholders, such as employer and payroll representatives and Employment and Social Development Canada’s External Advisory Panel.

Consultations with employers confirm that an ePayroll solution is their preferred option for reducing employer payroll reporting burden.

Employment and Social Development Canada has developed a preliminary proposal to fulfil the mandate commitment and deliver expected results based on prototyping, planning and engagements to date.

Next steps – commitment 13

By March 2024, Employment and Social Development Canada in partnership with the Canada Revenue Agency, will have options for the implementation of an ePayroll solution for the Government of Canada that will increase the speed and accuracy of services and benefits to Canadians.

The joint Canada Revenue Agency and Employment and Social Development Canada project is on track to deliver a fully costed implementation plan consisting of 3 deliverables: a business case that will recommend an ePayroll solution, supported by a transformation blueprint and a project management framework, with a view to moving to the implementation phase beyond March 2024.

Progress – commitment 14

To enhance the capacity and effectiveness of Black-led and Black-serving organizations, Employment and Social Development Canada has advanced a number of key initiatives to support and improve Black-led organizations’ workplaces and community spaces through the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative.

In February 2023, the National Funders Network signed their amended contribution agreements and have disbursed $31 million to Black-led community organizations, which includes the $25 million received through Budget 2022.

Through the National Funders Network, more than $50 million has been invested in over 939 projects to support Black-led and Black-serving community organizations.

More than 1,300 projects have been funded under the Capital Assistance Fund stream with a total investment of almost $82 million to support renovation and equipment purchases for Black-led and Black-serving organizations.

The External Reference Group was formally launched on November 7, 2022, consisting of 7 members of African descent from the not-for-profit, education, public and private sectors.

Next steps – commitment 14

Employment and Social Development Canada will continue to engage with Black Canadian communities to strengthen the capacity of grassroots, Black-led community-based organizations, address emerging priorities and bring positive benefits to Canada’s Black communities by removing systemic barriers and tackling anti-Black racism.

Progress – commitment 15

Employment and Social Development Canada has been working with Women and Gender Equality Canada, as well as with other federal departments on how best to advance efforts related to children and youth.

Employment and Social Development Canada participated in an engagement session with youth facilitated by the Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children and several federal departments. Discussions focused on how to improve the process for Canada’s implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and priority areas for greater implementation of children’s rights in Canada.

Employment and Social Development Canada is also leveraging existing initiatives to better incorporate the voices and needs of children. For example:

• for the development of a National School Food Policy, engagement sessions with children are being planned. These sessions will seek to understand children’s experiences, needs and interests and to incorporate these into the policy and program design
• Employment and Social Development Canada has been supporting the department of Canadian Heritage in their work to advance Online Harms policy, funding, and legislative authority by ensuring the needs of children are incorporated in these pieces

As part of Employment and Social Development Canada’s departmental research plan, the department is undertaking a literature review to examine existing child wellbeing frameworks and what lessons could be drawn if applied to the Canadian context in order to inform a potential child well-being framework in Canada.

Next steps – commitment 15

Employment and Social Development Canada will continue working with Women and Gender Equality and Youth and other federal departments on how best to implement, monitor, and report on this commitment.

The department will support 3 school food engagement sessions with children, which will take place in May and June 2023.

Employment and Social Development Canada will continue to support Canadian Heritage in their work to advance an Online Harms policy and legislation.

Employment and Social Development Canada will determine ways to best support the Department of Justice in the launch of their Child Impact Assessment tool and training that will assist federal government officials in assessing the potential impacts of a proposed initiative on children.

The department will continue to explore other existing initiatives that can be leveraged to better incorporate the voices and needs of children in spring 2023.

Progress – commitment 16

Through the Health Portfolio, the Government of Canada funded a number of projects following Budget 2021 that promote mental health in populations disproportionately affected by COVID, including children and youth.

• Budget 2021 also provided funding for the development of national mental health and substance use standards, which includes Integrated Youth Services as a priority. An agreement was signed with Standards Council of Canada to lead the development of the standards
  • In March of 2023, Standards Council of Canada contracted Foundry to develop a guidance document operationalizing Integrated Youth Services models
• Additionally, the government is investing in pilot projects that support the mental health needs of children and youth. In 1 such project, the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute has developed a tool with and for Indigenous children to help them self-assess and report on their health and wellness

Budget 2023 confirmed that the government will provide $25B over 10 years for shared health priorities through tailored bilateral agreements to support provincial and territorial needs and circumstances in 4 priority areas including mental heath and substance use. This funding could be leveraged/ allocated to support child and youth mental health, including expansion of Integrated Youth Services sites, perinatal mental health, and post-secondary students and institutions.

• This builds on Budget 2017 investments to provinces and territories, which include $5 billion over 10 years to improve access to mental health and addiction services in priority areas that target children and youth, people with complex health needs, and community mental health care and culturally safe interventions

Next steps – commitment 16

Employment and Social Development Canada will continue working with Women and Gender Equality and Youth and Health Canada, Mental Health and Addictions on options to support the mental health of children and youth.

1. Overview

The Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) has invited you to appear in view of its study of the Supplementary Estimates (C), 2022 to 2023, and Main Estimates 2023 to 2024.

2. Committee proceedings

Your appearance is scheduled to take place on May 30 from 3:30 to 4:30.

You will appear on a panel with Ministers Qualtrough, Khera and Minister O’Regan, and be accompanied by:

• Jean-François Tremblay, Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Development (in-person)
• Karen Robertson, Chief Financial Officer (in-person)
• Lori MacDonald, Chief Operating Officer, Service Canada and Senior Associate Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Development
• Cliff Groen, Business Lead, Benefits Delivery Modernization
• Elisha Ram, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Income Security and Social Development
• Sandra Hassan, Deputy Minister of Labour and Associate Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Development

You have no outstanding follow up written responses due to the Committee.

HUMA has agreed that questioning of witnesses would be allocated as follows:

In round 1, there are 6 minutes for each party in the following order:

• Conservative Party
• Liberal Party
• Bloc Québécois, and
• New Democratic Party

For the second and subsequent rounds, the order and time for questioning is as follows:

• Conservative Party, 5 minutes
• Liberal Party, 5 minutes
• Bloc Québécois, 2 and a half minutes
• New Democratic Party, 2 and a half minutes
• Conservative Party, 5 minutes, and
• Liberal Party, 5 minutes

3. Anticipated questions based on the parliamentary environment

Committee members biography

Chad Collins, Liberal Party, Hamilton East–Stoney Creek, Ontario

Brief biography

Chad Collins was first elected to the House of Commons for Hamilton East - Stoney Creek on September 20, 2021. A lifelong resident of Hamilton East - Stoney Creek, Chad resides in the Davis Creek area with his wife Mary and 2 children, Chase and Reese. He attended Glendale Secondary School, the University of Western Ontario, and McMaster University. Chad was first elected to City Council in 1995, at the age of 24, making him one of the youngest elected representatives in the City's history.

Chad is passionate about engaging local residents and community stakeholders, focusing on revitalization of infrastructure, development of social housing and stream-lining municipal programs.

As President of City Housing Hamilton, Chad has been committed to addressing the City's aging affordable housing stock by pressuring all levels of government to invest in the much needed repair of over 7,000 publicly owned units. He continues to work on nearly a dozen new projects across the City and in the riding that will provide new affordable housing units to those in need.

From the creation and development of new community parks and trails to the opening of a new food bank, Chad knows community consultation is an integral part of improving quality of life for everyone in Hamilton East - Stoney Creek.

Of note:

Key issues of interest: affordable housing.

Michael Coteau, Liberal Party, Don Valley East, Ontario

Brief biography

Michael Coteau was first elected to the House of Commons for Don Valley East on September 20, 2021. He has served as the Member of Provincial Parliament for Don Valley East since 2011. During his time in the Ontario government, his ministerial roles include: Minister of Children and Youth Services; Minister Responsible for Anti-Racism; Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport; Minister Responsible for the 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games; and Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.

Prior to entering the provincial government, Michael was elected as a school board trustee for the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) in 2003, 2006 and 2010. As a trustee, Michael advocated for student nutrition, community use of space and the use of educational technology. He initiated the ‘Community Use of Schools’ motion that drastically cut user fees and made schools more accessible to groups that offer programs for children. He helped introduce nutritional changes in schools that supported healthy food programs and increased awareness of student hunger.

Michael worked as an ESL instructor and curriculum developer before becoming a community organizer for a United Way agency in Scarborough. He was also the Marketing Manager for ABC Life Literacy, where he was responsible for the organizing of the Family Literacy Day across Canada, and was Executive Director of Alpha Plus, a national literacy organization mandated to support adult education through the use of technology.

Michael grew up in Don Valley East and attended Don Mills Middle School and Victoria Park Collegiate Institute. He holds a degree from Carleton University in Political Science and Canadian History. He and his wife Lori live in Toronto with their 2 daughters, Maren and Myla.

Of note:

• spent 10 years in the Ontario legislature
• key issues of interest: Low-income families

Wayne Long, Liberal Party, Saint John–Rothesay, New Brunswick

Brief biography

Wayne Long was first elected to the House of Commons for Saint John — Rothesay in 2015 and was re-elected in 2019 and 2021. He is a member of the Saint John community with national and international business experience. Wayne currently serves as President of the Saint John Sea Dogs, and his efforts have helped turn the team into one of Canada’s most successful CHL hockey franchises winning the cherished Memorial Cup in 2011. That same year, Wayne was recognized with the John Horman Trophy, awarded to the Top Executive in the QMJHL.

Prior to his work with the Sea Dogs, Wayne was President of Scotiaview Seafood Inc. He was also a successful large-scale product manager with Stolt Sea Farm Inc. Wayne’s work has seen him travel across North America, negotiating contracts with national restaurant distributors, restaurant chains, and retail chains. He earned the North American Excellence in Sales and Marketing award twice. Wayne is a former Board Member for Destination Marketing and Salmon Marketing.

Wayne was born in the riding, and currently calls the area home alongside his wife, Denise, and their 2 children, Khristian and Konnor.

Of note:

• has been a member of HUMA since the beginning of the 42nd Parliament (2015)
• key issues of interest:
  • poverty
  • mental health
  • outspoken support of the Energy East oil pipeline project
  • previously broken ranks with party (Energy East, tax policy, SNC-Lavalin) which resulted in being kicked off House committees as punishment
  • frequently makes sports parallel (hockey)
  • government programs and support that benefit his constituents

Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Liberal Party, PS for Housing and Diversity and Inclusion (Housing), Hochelaga, Québec

Brief biography

Soraya Martinez Ferrada was first elected to the House of Commons for Hochelaga in 2019 and re-elected in 2021. She was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship in 20219 and became Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport in 2021. She has also served on the Standing Committee on Official Languages in the last Parliament.

She is a proud resident of the east end of Montréal. Originally from Chile, her family settled in the area in the 1980s. Soraya has deep roots in the community where she currently resides with her son and daughter.

Before being elected, Soraya worked for more than 20 years in the community where she specialized in communications and developed multiple cultural and political projects. Among her achievements, she created the very first cultural and socio-professional integration program at TOHU, a unique example of sustainable development in Montréal.

In 2005, she was elected as a city councillor and appointed by the mayor to the position of Associate Advisor for Culture on the City’s Executive Committee. In 2009, she became Chief of Staff to the Leader of the Official Opposition at Montréal City Hall. She transitioned to the federal government in 2015 as Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the Minister of Canadian Heritage.

She created the Vedette d’Hochelaga video clips in which she highlights the commitment of citizens, community organizations, and entrepreneurs in the riding of Hochelaga. She has also set up virtual roundtables and regular newsletters that present federal programs directly serving the people of her riding.

Of note:

• parliamentary Secretary – Housing and Diversity and Inclusion (Housing)
• key issues of interest:
  • poverty
  • Quebec-focused
  • multiculturalism

Robert (Bobby) J. Morrissey, Liberal Party, Egmont, Prince Edward Island

Brief biography

In 2015, Bobby was elected to the House of Commons and was re-elected in 2019 and 2021. He served as a Member on the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, as well as the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities.

Previously, he was elected to the Prince Edward Island Legislative Assembly in 1982 and has dedicated his career and volunteer life to serving the residents of PEI.

Having served as MLA for nearly 20 years, Bobby has a deep understanding of his communities’ needs. He has held a number of high-profile roles within the Assembly, such as Minister of Transportation and Public Works, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, and Opposition House Leader. He was also responsible for the redevelopment of the Canadian Forces Base Summerside and the surrounding community following its closure by the federal government in 1989. Bobby left politics in 2000 to join the private sector as a consultant specializing in government relations, fisheries, and the labour market. Bobby has been a member of the Board of Directors for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of PEI. He was the founding member and former president of the Tignish Seniors Home Care Co-op, and Vice-Chair of Tignish Special Needs Housing.

Of note:

• Chair of HUMA
• former member of HUMA in 2019 (briefly before the general election)

Tony Van Bynen, Liberal Party, Newmarket–Aurora, Ontario

Brief biography

Tony Van Bynen was first elected to the House of Commons for Newmarket-Aurora in 2019 and re-elected 2021. A resident of Newmarket for over 40 years, Tony and his wife Roxanne raised their 2 daughters there.

Community service, volunteerism, and helping those who need it most is what drives Tony every day. He and Roxanne have volunteered at the Southlake Hospital, and the Inn from the Cold, for over 10 years. They also deliver food for the Newmarket Food Bank, and Tony was instrumental in creating Belinda’s Place, which is a multi-purpose facility for homeless and at-risk women.

He also had the privilege of serving as the Mayor of Newmarket for 12 years. During that time, community building is what guided Tony on his mission to revitalize Main Street, renew the historic Old Town Hall, and build the Riverwalk Commons so families and friends can enjoy great public places.

Through his previous role as the President of the Chamber of Commerce, and his 30-year career in banking, Tony understands what local businesses need to thrive and grow. He’s delivered innovative solutions to help local business owners find success, including creating the Envi broadband network, so businesses in the community have ultra-high-speed connectivity, which has been particularly crucial during the pandemic.

Of note:

Key issues of interest: focused studies to help Canadians, especially getting through the pandemic.

Rosemarie Falk, Conservative Party, Associate Labour Critic, Battlefords–Lloydminster, Saskatchewan

Brief biography

Rosemarie Falk is the Conservative candidate for Battlefords-Lloydminster. Rosemarie was born and raised in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan. Along with her husband Adam, she is now raising her children there. She has always been actively engaged in her community. Throughout her social work career and extensive volunteer work she has worked with some of the most vulnerable members of the community.

Rosemarie was first elected to the House of Commons in a by-election on December 11, 2017. Prior to this, Rosemarie worked as a registered Social Worker in Saskatchewan and has a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Calgary. She also has experience as a legal assistant specializing in family law and as a legislative assistant in federal politics.

In October 2022, under the new Conservative Party leader, she was named to the new Official Opposition's Shadow Cabinet as the Associate Shadow Minister for Labour and Associate Labour Critic.

Of note:

• she has served as a member of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration
• sponsor: Bill C-318, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act and the Canada Labour Code (adoptive and intended parents)
• Rosemarie is committed to being a strong voice for seniors, families, taxpayers and rural communities
• associate Critic- Labour in the Official Opposition's shadow cabinet

Michelle Ferreri, Conservative Party for Families, Children and Social Development Critic, Peterborough Kawatha, Ontario

Brief biography

Michelle is the Member of Parliament for Peterborough-Kawartha and was elected in the 2021 federal election. Michelle was appointed as Shadow Minister for Tourism as part of the Conservative Shadow Cabinet for the 44th Parliament. In October 2022, under the new Conservative Party leader, she was named to the new Official Opposition's Shadow Cabinet as the Minister for Families, Children and Social Development.

Prior to being elected, Michelle was a well-known community advocate, an award-winning entrepreneur, a committed volunteer, and a highly sought-after public speaker and social media marketer.

Michelle has over 20 years’ experience in media, marketing and public speaking. During her time as a reporter, one of Michelle’s most memorable experiences was when she had the opportunity to visit the Canadian Forces Base, Alert and fly to the station on a C-17 Globemaster.

Michelle is a graduate of Trent University (Biology/Anthropology) and Loyalist College (Biotechnology). Her education in science has led her to be a passionate advocate for physical and mental health.

She is a proud mother of 3 children, between the ages of 12 and 17, and shares her life with her supportive partner, Ryan, and his 3 daughters.

Of note:

• she is a member of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women since December 9, 2021
• Michelle is interested in physical and mental health, housing, the economy and food security
• Critic- Families, Children and Social Development in the Official Opposition's shadow cabinet

Tracy Gray, Conservative Party, Employment, Future Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion Critic, Calgary Midnapore – Kelowna–Lake Country, British Columbia

Brief biography

Tracy was elected to serve as Member of Parliament for the riding of Kelowna-Lake Country in October 2019. In October 2022, under the new Conservative Party leader, she was named to the new Official Opposition's Shadow Cabinet as the Shadow Minister for Employment, Future Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion. She previously served as Shadow Minister for Interprovincial Trade and as the Shadow Minister for Export Promotion and International Trade.

Tracy has extensive business experience and worked most of her career in the BC beverage industry. She founded and owned Discover Wines VQA Wine Stores, which included the number one wine store in BC for 13 years. She is has been involved in small businesses in different sectors including financing, importing, oil and gas service and a technology start-up.

The daughter of a firefighter and Catholic School teacher, Tracy grew up around service and a strong work ethic. She has one son and been married for 27 years.

Tracy has received many accolades including RBC Canadian Woman Entrepreneur of the year, Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award and 100 New Woman Pioneers in BC.

Tracy served with many organisations over the years. She was appointed to serve by BC Cabinet to the Passenger Transportation Board and elected to the Board of Prospera Credit Union for 10 years. In addition, she served on the Okanagan Film Commission, Clubhouse Childcare Society, Okanagan Regional Library Trustee and Chair of the Okanagan Basin Water Board.

Of note:

• Critic – Employment, Future Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion in the Official Opposition's shadow cabinet
• sponsor: Bill C-283, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (addiction treatment in penitentiaries) and M-46 National Adoption Awareness Month (outside order of precedence)

Scott Aitchison, Conservative Party, Housing and Diversity and Inclusion Critic, Parry Sound–Muskoka, Ontario

Brief biography

Scott Aitchison was born and raised in Huntsville, Ontario. After leaving home at 15, Scott was raised by the character of his hometown. In October 2022, under the new Conservative Party leader, he was named to the new Official Opposition's Shadow Cabinet as the Shadow Minister for Housing and Diversity and Inclusion.

Scott was first elected at the age of 21 to Huntsville Town Council. After serving as Town Councillor, District Councillor and Deputy Mayor, he was elected as Mayor of Huntsville in 2014 on a promise of fiscal discipline, responsible governance and excellent customer service. As Mayor, he built a reputation as a consensus-builder relentlessly focused on breaking down barriers and finding solutions.

Of note:

Critic – Housing and Diversity and Inclusion in the Official Opposition's shadow cabinet.

Bonita Zarrillo, New Democratic Party, Disability Inclusion Critic, Port Moody–Coquitlam, British Columbia

Brief biography

Bonita Zarrillo was first elected as Member of Parliament for Port Moody-Coquitlam in 2021. She is known to be a voice for equality and drives systemic change that puts people first. She entered public service so she could advocate for working people and to support the needs of the most vulnerable in the community. She championed buy-local as a tool for small businesses to thrive and to enable them to hire locally, challenged pipeline corporations to pay their fair share, and completed a successful housing affordability strategy that generated the most rental housing starts in her region.

On Coquitlam Council, Bonita served on the following: Fraser Health Municipal Government Advisory Council, Multiculturism Advisory Committee, Metro Vancouver Indigenous Relations Committee, Universal Access Ability Advisory Committee, and past Board Member for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. She sat on the board of 2 local Not-For-Profits that advocate for gender equality and speaks regularly at The Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations.

Before being elected to municipal government, Bonita worked in consumer products as a Business Analyst for companies across North America and Europe. She has a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Manitoba, a Human Resource Management Certificate from the University of Calgary and has a Computer Science Degree from CDI Montreal.

Of note:

• Critic – Disability Inclusion
• pledged to help Canadians through collaborative committee work
• key issues of interest:
  • mental health and suicide prevention
  • women’s issues and gender equality
  • workers’ conditions
  • care economy

Louise Chabot, Bloc Québecois, Employment, Workforce Development and Labour Critic, Thérèse- De Blainville, Quebec

Brief biography

Louise Chabot was first elected as Member of Parliament in 2019 and was re-elected in 2021. She was born in 1955 in Saint-Charles-de-Bellechasse, Quebec, is a Quebec trade unionist and politician. She was president of the Centrale des Syndicates du Québec (CSQ) from 2012 to 2018. The organization initially represented nearly 200,000 members, including 130,000 in the education and early childhood sector. She coordinated a major unionization project that resulted in the consolidation of more than 15,000 family day care managers, a first in the union world in Canada.

Of note:

• Critic – Employment, Workforce Development and Labour Critic
• sponsored the Committee’s study on the Review of the EI Program in 2021 critical of the EI program in general and very outspoken about seasonal workers’ trou noir and inadequate sickness benefits
• interested in seniors’ financial security and their purchasing power
• seek to enact federal anti-scab legislation
• supporter of labour unions – Former president of Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ)
• member of the consultative committee for Quebec’s Pay Equity Commission
• advocate for increase in health transfers
• respect for provincial jurisdictions
• labour shortages
• nurse by profession