Public Services and Procurement Canada
From the Minister: 2020 to 2021 Departmental Plan

I am pleased to present Public Services and Procurement Canada's 2020 to 2021 Departmental Plan.

Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) supports the everyday work of the Government of Canada. We are the Government of Canada's central purchasing agent, linguistic authority and real property manager. PSPC is also the government's treasurer, accountant, integrity adviser, and pay and pension administrator. Our work helps to build an inclusive, innovative and accessible Canadian economy and society.

This plan highlights the department's priorities for 2020 to 2021, which will in turn contribute to meeting my mandate letter commitments and underpin the work of PSPC's committed employees.

As Minister of Public Services and Procurement, one of my top priorities is to ensure that our dedicated public servants are paid accurately and on time. While the department has made progress in reducing the backlog of pay transactions, we will continue to work diligently to stabilize the system and eliminate outstanding pay issues.

Purchasing supplies and equipment vital to the work of the brave members of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Coast Guard also remains a priority.

PSPC will advance the competitive process to acquire advanced fighter jets to replace Canada's CF-18 fleet, while ensuring best value and supporting Canada's defence priorities. As part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, PSPC is working with its partners to deliver much-needed vessels to the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Coast Guard resulting in new jobs, economic growth and a sustainable marine sector for Canadians.

Working with other departments, PSPC will bring forward analyses and options for the creation of Defence Procurement Canada with a focus on ensuring that Canada's most complex Defence and Coast Guard procurements are delivered on time and with greater transparency to Parliament.

PSPC manages around $15 billion of procurements annually and we remain focused on simplifying our procurement systems, making it easier for departments and agencies to acquire the goods and services they need to deliver their programs for Canadians.

In all of its work, PSPC is also committed to fighting climate change. The department will integrate sustainable development, and energy and greenhouse gas reduction into our real property projects. We will also work with our partners on a plan to power federal buildings with 100% clean electricity, where available, by 2022. In doing so, PSPC will help to support the growth of new clean electricity/renewable power sources as they become available.

The restoration and modernization of Canada's parliamentary and other heritage buildings remains a key priority. Building on the successful completion of the West Block and Senate of Canada Building in 2018, PSPC is advancing important work on the rehabilitation of the Centre Block, the largest such project in recent Canadian history. At the same time, several other projects are moving forward, including restoration work at 100 Wellington which will result in a space for Indigenous peoples within the precinct. Once restored, these historic buildings will meet, and where possible exceed, standards for accessibility and sustainability. Also in the National Capital Region, significant investments in inter-provincial bridges are planned to meet the needs of a growing regional population.

In partnership with federal science-based departments and agencies, PSPC will advance the government's commitment to strengthen federal science by creating world-class collaborative science facilities. In 2020 to 2021, the department will finalize the selection of sites for the new facilities and launch procurement activities for the projects across Canada.

The Translation Bureau, an important part of PSPC that plays a vital role in promoting linguistic duality, will also modernize its tools to ensure timely and high quality linguistic services by using automated workflows and experimenting with artificial intelligence solutions. In addition, the Translation Bureau will grow its capacity to promote sign language interpretation and enhance the use of Indigenous languages.

These are only some of our priorities for 2020 to 2021. I am looking forward to working with the dedicated employees of PSPC as we continue to invest in Canadians and their communities, create good middle class jobs, fight climate change, and grow our economy.

Anita Anand, PC, MP

Minister of Public Services and Procurement