Since then I read (in this thread) that the second phase was rolled out since the Liberals took power.
I'm not sure if the entire Phoenix program was rolled out under the Liberals, or if they only continued it. From what I read though, I think the entire Phoenix system was implemented under the Liberals. The Conservatives moved the pay centre to Miramichi, where things were chaotic due to understaffing. But that was before Phoenix was officially rolled out, I believe. It seems it was planned on being rolled out in October 2015, but was delayed to February 2016 due to defects.
I got this from a history article from CBC:
May 2015 Original rollout delayed
At IBM's recommendation, the original rollout schedule of October and December 2015 is delayed because of outstanding "critical" defects in the system.
June 2015 Miramichi workload high, even before Phoenix
Compensation workers can't keep up with complaints for the first, smaller groups of accounts transferred to Miramichi
Feb. 24, 2016 IBM's Phoenix system goes live
The government rolls out the new payment system in 34 government departments. Those 120,000 see their first payday under the new system on March 9. Internally, those overseeing the project congratulate themselves on a successful launch.
It may be that the system is okay, but that the pay centre is so understaffed that these screw ups happen. See this article from back in June of 2015 on issues at the new pay centre (apparently pre-Phoenix at this point): http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/miramichi-public-service-pay...