Hon. Patti LaBoucane-Benson (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the Supplementary Estimates (A), 2023-24.

Hon. Patti LaBoucane-Benson (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, I give notice that, at the next sitting of the Senate, I will move:

That the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance be authorized to examine and report upon the expenditures set out in the Supplementary Estimates (A) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024;

That, for the purpose of this study, the committee have the power to meet, even though the Senate may then be sitting or adjourned, and that rules 12-18(1) and 12-18(2) be suspended in relation thereto; and

That the committee be permitted, notwithstanding usual practices, to deposit its report with the Clerk of the Senate, if the Senate is not then sitting, and that the report be deemed to have been tabled in the Senate.

Hon. Patti LaBoucane-Benson (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, I have the honour to table the answers to the following oral questions:

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on March 21, 2023, by the Honourable Senator Wallin, concerning Canada Post.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on March 28, 2023, by the Honourable Senator Martin, concerning the Canada Emergency Business Account.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Pamela Wallin on March 21, 2023)

The government established the Canadian Postal Service Charter in 2009 to outline its expectations regarding Canada Post’s service standards in providing postal services to Canadians, while committing to review it every five years to assess the need to adapt it to changing requirements. In 2018, the government affirmed that Canada Post was expected to continue to meet the existing expectations laid out in the Charter.

The government undertook public opinion research in 2022 to capture updated views of Canadians about the mail and their expectations of Canada Post, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that has significantly accelerated Canada Post’s transition away from lettermail to a parcels-dominant business.

The purpose of the polling was to obtain input from Canadians so the government can fulfil its commitment to conduct a regular review of the Canadian Postal Service Charter every five years and to track a government mandate commitment that is to: Ensure that Canada Post provides the high-quality service that Canadians expect at a reasonable price and better reaches Canadians in rural and remote areas.

None of the questions asked should constitute an indication of future direction, policies, or active consideration.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Yonah Martin on March 28, 2023)

Accenture has received $208,087,624.97 in contracts to administer the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA), including $71 million that Accenture will receive under the current contracts set to expire in January and February of 2024. Export Development Canada (EDC), a financial Crown corporation governed by a board of directors, operating at arm’s length from the Government of Canada, made the full decision to contract and negotiate the contracts with Accenture related to the administration of the CEBA. Accenture provided staff augmentation and technology services, not consultant advice.

Accenture joined the CEBA team at the program’s onset and was instrumental in developing a successful program supporting nearly 900,000 small businesses totalling over $49 billion of financial support. The complex nature of the program’s requirements necessitated both dedicated internal and external resources that would allow the program to be developed and launched expeditiously. Accenture provides several core services such as maintaining back-end digital platforms, servicing the customer call centre, and developing resources and tools for applicants. Given Accenture’s role in CEBA to provide ongoing technology services, EDC expects a Maintenance and Support contract to be negotiated to support ongoing collection activities.

Hon. Patti LaBoucane-Benson (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, pursuant to the order adopted December 7, 2021, I would like to inform the Senate that Question Period with the Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P., Minister of Public Safety, will take place on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at 2:15 p.m.

[Translation]

On the Order:

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Busson, seconded by the Honourable Senator Coyle, for the second reading of Bill S-12, An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Sex Offender Information Registration Act and the International Transfer of Offenders Act.