Phoenix turns two: Pay problems continue as government scrambles to find a fix

Comedian Rick Mercer probably nailed the feeling of public servants across the nation with his assessment of the Phoenix computer and software system that issues their paycheques.
“As far as payroll systems go,” said Mercer in one of his popular TV rants, “it’s about as effective as a Grade 10 dropout with nine fingers and a serious buzz on.”
Mercer offered a rare note of levity in the discussion about Phoenix, the automated pay system that has become a sinkhole of