Judy Foote to face grilling over federal pay problems

As far as committee meetings go, this one is expected to be intense. 

MPs will get the chance today to grill the minister responsible for modernizing the government's payroll, for the first time since major problems emerged with the Phoenix system. 

"One of the questions that I don't think has ever really been answered, is why the federal government is not just writing cheques to the people who have gone without pay," said Erin Weir, the NDP public services and procurement critic. 

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Weir plans to put that question and several others, to Judy Foote, the minister of public services and procurement, at the Government Operations and Estimates committee this afternoon.

For the Conservatives, the questions will be more pointed.

"How can we trust you, now that you've failed us so many times and that you've failed thousands of Canadians with a system that is broken?" said Conservative critic Stephen Blaney, during a phone interview with CBC News. 

Although Blaney did not outright call for Foote's resignation, he added "some ministers over the past have resigned for much less than this big mess that is impacting tens of thousands of Canadians."

"Since the beginning, Minister Foote has been open and transparent on this unacceptable situation, while ensuring all possible solutions, regardless of cost, are considered," said Annie Trepanier, a spokeswoman from Foote's office.

"We are listening to concerns and issues raised by our employees and we are committed to working collaboratively at all levels to resolve them as quickly as possible."

Blame game

Since Phoenix was brought online in April, more than 80,000 public servants have experienced pay problems.

The majority of workers have been underpaid, while some have been overpaid or not paid at all.

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The department has chipped away at the backlog, but 67,500 workers are still waiting for their issues to be resolved.

Public servants have been promised that all of those cases would be dealt with by Oct. 31.

Even though the Liberals OK'd the full roll out of Phoenix, they have accused the Conservatives of letting the federal public pay system deteriorate under their watch. 

"Minister Foote is responsible for ensuring the men and women of the public service are paid the money they are owed on time and she is committed to fixing the system we have inherited," Trepanier said.

When asked about the blame, Blaney shifted focus back on the Liberals

"When they got in power, they had clear signs the system was not ready to be implemented. This Liberal government made the decision to implement a system that is broken, they are fully responsible for this mess," Blaney said.