Response to parliamentary committees and external audits
Response to parliamentary committees
In 2024–25, the following Parliamentary Committee reports required a response.
Response to the twentieth report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates, entitled Changeover of the Public Service Health Care Plan from Sun Life to Canada Life
The committee studied the changeover of the Public Service Health Care Plan from Sun Life to Canada Life to better understand the quality of the insurance coverage, the efficiency and effectiveness of the new insurance plan, the mechanisms that Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) used in awarding the contract for the plan to ensure that the contractor had the capacity to serve the entire federal public service and provide the expected services, and the measures that will be taken to correct the situation.
The committee made nine recommendations that implicated the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS):
- Recommendation 1
That the Government of Canada involve representatives of employees and retirees in the re‑tendering process when the time comes to renew the “Administrative Services Only” contract for the Public Service Health Care Plan; and that efforts be made to involve people with disabilities and their caregivers in the process to ensure that their needs are understood. - Recommendation 2
That the Government of Canada work with the administrator of the Public Service Health Care Plan to improve communication with plan members when changes are made to coverage; and that in doing so, the government consider members’ access to the Internet and/or new information and communications technologies. - Recommendation 3
That the Government of Canada begin monitoring the performance of the Plan Administrator on the first day when the contract comes into force; that the transition period prior to activation include monitoring milestones to ensure that the chosen contractor is capable of providing a functional website and bilingual services, among other things; and that in the future, contracts with plan administrators do not provide a grace period to a contractor that has no or few consequences for severe underperformance. - Recommendation 4
That the Government of Canada provide the rationale behind the decision to transition to a new plan administrator and to modernize benefits on the same date, given that Canada Life acknowledged that this decision contributed to the issues facing the Public Service Health Care Plan since . - Recommendation 5
That the Government of Canada ensure that employees who have suffered financial loss as a result of Canada Life’s unjustified delays or denials of claims are fully compensated for these losses. - Recommendation 6
That the Government of Canada make available to employees the service standards included in its contract with Canada Life and provide regular updates to stakeholders on both Canada Life’s adherence to those standards and any penalties levied against Canada Life for failing to meet those standards. - Recommendation 7
That the Government of Canada revisit its existing caps on coverage for physiotherapy services to bring them in line with previous coverage and distinguish between short and long‑term needs. - Recommendation 8
That the Government of Canada develop separate processes for monitoring the timeliness and accuracy of a) prior authorization decision‑making and appeals; and b) claims made for drugs, treatments, and devices not requiring prior authorization, in order to properly enforce the service‑level standards contained in the contract. - Recommendation 9
That the Government of Canada ensure that the selected company has the capacity to provide services in French at all times and within the same amount of time as services provided in English.
The Government of Canada’s response, tabled on , confirmed its commitment to working with Canada Life and other partners and stakeholders to facilitate ongoing improvements and its commitment to ensuring that Public Service Health Care Plan members receive the services they deserve.
Response to the eleventh report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Science and Research, entitled Incorporating Indigenous Knowledge and Science in Canadian Research and Policy Development
The committee studied the ways in which Indigenous knowledge and science could inform Canadian research and policy development, making 15 recommendations to the federal government to support the use, development and integration of Indigenous knowledge and science in Canadian research and policy development. Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada led the response, in close collaboration with Crown‑Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and Indigenous Services Canada. TBS, along with Agriculture and Agri‑Food Canada, Canadian Heritage, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Department of Justice Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and the Public Service Commission of Canada, Statistics Canada, provided input to the response.
The committee made one recommendation that implicated TBS:
- Recommendation 11
That the Government of Canada review and bolster training requirements for public servants to ensure that all employees receive sufficient training in Indigenous history and practices, and to provide specialized training for those working directly with Indigenous communities.
The Government of Canada’s response, which was tabled on , confirmed its commitment to engaging with the committee, the research community, and the public on ways to support Indigenous knowledge and science and strengthen its role in research and policy development.
Response to the twelfth report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on National Defence entitled A Time for Change: Reforming Defence Procurement in Canada
The committee conducted a study of defence procurement and defence industrial preparedness in Canada. In particular, the committee sought “to review how the readiness of the Canadian Armed Forces is impacted by Canada’s procurement processes and the capabilities of our defence industry to ensure that the Canadian military’s needs are being met.”
The committee made 36 recommendations to the federal government to support the use, development and integration of Indigenous knowledge and science in Canadian research and policy development. The Department of National Defence; Public Services and Procurement Canada; Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada; and TBS contributed to the response.
The committee made three recommendations that implicated TBS:
- Recommendation 17
That the Government of Canada consider adopting a risk‑based procurement approach and increasing the use of risk‑based contract approvals to streamline defence procurement and reduce unnecessary process requirements. - Recommendation 19
That the Government of Canada re‑examine the personnel posting structure to increase retention, continuity, and institutional memory in defence procurement, and ensure that an adequate number of qualified and trained procurement personnel are employed to perform all needed procurement duties. - Recommendation 20
That the Government of Canada recognize the distinct needs of women in the Canadian Armed Forces by conducting and publicly reporting a GBA Plus analysis.
The Government of Canada’s response, which was tabled on , confirmed its commitment to addressing the long‑standing challenges in the defence procurement system and recognized the need to reduce bureaucratic hurdles, simplify procedures, and align procurement practices with international standards in order to increase efficiency.
Response to audits conducted by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada (including audits conducted by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development)
Digital Validation of Identity to Access Services
2024 Reports of the Auditor General of Canada
The audit focused on what TBS was doing to plan a national approach to digital identity for Canadians to access government and other services, including taking over responsibility for related initiatives from Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada.
TBS did not receive any recommendations.
Professional Services Contracts
2024 Reports of the Auditor General of Canada
This audit focused on whether professional services contracts were awarded to McKinsey & Company in accordance with applicable procurement policies and whether the federal public sector obtained value for money.
TBS received one recommendation. Its response is in the list of recommendations in the report.
Greening of Building Materials in Public Infrastructure
2024 Reports of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development
This audit focused on whether Public Services and Procurement Canada, TBS, and Natural Resources Canada had used the Government of Canada’s purchasing power effectively to support and prioritize the use of low embodied carbon construction materials, including steel, aluminum, and concrete, in public infrastructure projects in order to contribute to environmental protection and sustainable development. It also focused on determining whether Infrastructure Canada made effective use of its funding programs in pursuit of that goal.
TBS received one recommendation. Its response is in the list of recommendations in the report.
Contaminated Sites in the North
2024 Reports of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development
This audit focused on whether Crown‑Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and Transport Canada, working with Environment and Climate Change Canada and TBS, effectively managed federal contaminated sites in the North by reducing the risks to the environment and human health and the associated financial liability for current and future generations. The programs examined included the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan and the Northern Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program. Regarding the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan, where information was not available for the North or appropriate to look at in isolation, Canada‑wide program measurement, reporting, and results were examined.
TBS received one recommendation. Its response is in the list of recommendations in the report.
Response to audits conducted by the Public Service Commission of Canada or the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
Public Service Commission of Canada’s Second System‑Wide Audit on Staffing
The audit focused on whether appointments and appointment processes between , and , complied with specific legislative, policy and other applicable requirements. TBS was among the 19 departments and agencies participating in the audit.
Departments and agencies have high rates of compliance with applicable requirements in most appointments and appointment processes.
There was one recommendation issued for all departments and agencies with respect to official languages in appointment processes. The final report (Results of the Second System‑Wide Staffing Audit) did not require a response from TBS.
The audit started in 2023–2024. The results were published on .
Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
There were no audits in 2024–25 requiring a response.