INNISFAIL - Newly released documents indicating that federal civil servants have received more than $9 billion in overtime paid since 2017 should raise questions for residents in the district and across Canada, say Red Deer-Mountain View Conservative MP Earl Dreeshen.
Statistics regarding federal overtime pay were released last week in a parliamentary order paper in response to questions submitted by Dreeshen.
In 2023, the government paid more than $1.26 billion in overtime, reflecting a 50 per cent increase over 2017. In 2022, the total was $1.48 billion.
By way of example, the Employment and Social Development Canada department paid overtime of more than $110 million in 2023.
The Canadian Revenue Agency paid almost $60 million in overtime last year.
“Well I think the important part is making sure that governments are going to respect taxpayers’ dollars and I know that is certainly what motivated me,” Dreeshen told the Albertan.
“I felt this was a way of getting a picture for the various departments as to how things were shaking down. That was a key part. The thought was to shine light on the operations of the various departments.
“I felt that was important to have those data points out there and expose it to the public so they can start asking questions. That’s the point to it.
Asked if he believes the numbers indicate the departments are not being well managed, he said, “I think it is an important question to ask. Once that information has been made public, Canadians can start asked questions about how the government departments are managing over time. If you can start asking that question, maybe they will become a bit more cognizant of the facts, some up-to-date information.”
Asked for next steps, Dreeshen said, “If department are going to start acting upon these things and start to explain why it is that they use overtime, certainly that is going to be of an interest to me. I will look forward to that.
“At this point in time, I know that it is out there and people from around the country are starting to look at it. Why are these programs set up this way? Why are they using so much overtime? Questions may come about on how many of these people are working from home. Those are the kind of questions I think that the public might be asking and certainly has the right to ask.”
Dreeshen’s riding includes Innisfail, Olds, Sundre, Didsbury and Carstairs.
