MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1995
(Meeting No. 64)
(Meeting No. 64)
[Text]
The Standing Committee on Government Operations met at 9:07 o'clock a.m. this day, in Room 208, West Block, for the purpose of organization.
Members of the Committee present: Gérard Asselin, Réginald Bélair, Eugène Bellemare, John Bryden, Ronald J. Duhamel, Jean-Paul Marchand, Ian Murray, Randy White and Paul Zed.
Acting Members present: Don Boudria for Brenda Chamberlain and Ted White for Bill Gilmour.
Associate Members present: Dick Harris and Janko Peric.
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Eric Adams, Research Officer.
The Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Chair.
On motion of John Bryden, it was agreed,--That Paul Zed take the Chair of the Committee.
Paul Zed took the Chair.
Ted White moved,--That Bill Gilmour be the Vice-Chair from the Opposition.
RULING OF THE CHAIR
``We will follow the agenda and proceed with the election of the Vice-Chair (government) and take this motion as notice''.
On motion of Ian Murray, it was agreed,--That Eugène Bellemare be the Vice-Chair from the government.
Eugène Bellemare moved,--That Jean-Paul Marchand be the Vice-Chair from the Opposition.
RULING OF THE CHAIR
``Since the Committee cannot entertain two motions at the same time, we will proceed with the motion that had already been taken as notice and will take the second motion as notice''.
The question being put on the motion of Ted White, it was negatived on the following division:
YEAS
Randy White
Ted White--(2)
NAYS
Gérard Asselin
John Bryden
Réginald Bélair
Ron Duhamel
Eugène Bellemare
Jean-Paul Marchand
Don Boudria
Ian Murray--(8)
The question being put on the motion of Eugène Bellemare, it was agreed to on the following division:
YEAS
Gérard Asselin
John Bryden
Réginald Bélair
Ron Duhamel
Eugène Bellemare
Jean-Paul Marchand
Don Boudria
Ian Murray--(8)
NAYS
Randy White
Ted White--(2)
It was agreed,--That after usual consultations with the whip from their party, Committee Members representing the Reform Party would file with the Committee Clerk the name of the Member who would be representing their party on the Steering Committee.
At 9:31 o'clock a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
Danielle Belisle
Clerk of the Committee
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1995
(Meeting No. 65)
The Evidence for this meeting is not available because it was held in camera.
(Meeting No. 65)
The Evidence for this meeting is not available because it was held in camera.
The Standing Committee on Government Operations met in camera at 3:38 o'clock p.m. this day, in Room 307, West Block, the Chair, Paul Zed, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Réginald Bélair, Eugène Bellemare, John Bryden, Ronald J. Duhamel and Paul Zed.
Acting Members present: Harold Culbert for Brenda Chamberlain and Dick Harris for Bill Gilmour.
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Eric Adams, Research Officer.
The Committee met to discuss its future business.
It was agreed,--That the Chairman be authorized to make arrangements, if necessary, with the Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations, in order to facilitate the review of Bill C-84, Regulations Act.
The Chair presented the First Report of the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure.
After debate, it was agreed,--That the First Report of the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure be concurred in.
At 4:30 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1995
(Meeting No. 66)
(Meeting No. 66)
The Standing Committee on Government Operations met at 11:07 o'clock a.m. this day, in Room 269, West Block, the Chairman, Paul Zed, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Réginald Bélair, Eugène Bellemare, Brenda Chamberlain, Ronald J. Duhamel, Bill Gilmour and Paul Zed.
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Eric Adams, Research Officer.
Witnesses: From the Office of the Auditor General: Denis Desautels, Auditor General; David Rattray, Assistant Auditor General.
The Committee considered its future business.
On motion of Brenda Chamberlain, it was agreed,--That pursuant to Standing Order 108(1), a Sub-Committee of the Standing Committee on Government Operations, be established, to be composed of Ian Murray as Chair and four other members (to be named by the Chairman after the usual consultations and filed with the Clerk), to study Bill C-84, the Regulations Act, and to report thereon to the Committee; that on presentation of the said report it be deemed adopted; and that the Chairman of the Committee present it to the House on behalf of the Committee and that:
- when the Chair of the Sub-Committee is unable to act in that capacity or during a meeting of the Sub-Committee, he shall designate a member of the Sub-Committee to act as Chair at or during the said meeting;
- the Sub-Committee be enpowered, except when the House otherwise orders, to send for persons, papers and records, to sit while the House is sitting, to sit during periods when the House stands adjourned, to print from day to day such papers and evidence as may be ordered by it and to authorize the Chair to hold meetings to receive evidence when a quorum is not present and to authorize the printing therefor;
- the Committee authorize the allocation of sufficient funds from its budget to the Sub-Committee for the payment of reasonable travelling and living expenses to witnesses appearing before the Sub-Committee.
It was agreed,--That a Research Officer be provided to the Sub-Committee by the Library of Parliament and that he be allowed to question witnesses.
It was agreed,--That the members of the Standing Joint Committee on Scrutiny of Regulations be invited to attend and take part in the proceedings.
In accordance with its mandate under Standing Order 108(2), the Committee received a briefing from the Auditor General of Canada.
Denis Desautels made a statement and, with the other witness, answered questions.
At 12:25 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1995
(Meeting No. 67)
(Meeting No. 67)
The Standing Committee on Government Operations met at 3:44 o'clock p.m. this day, in Room 705, La Promenade, the Chairman, Paul Zed, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Réginald Bélair, Eugène Bellemare, John Bryden, Ronald J. Duhamel, Randy White, Jean-Paul Marchand, Ian Murray and Paul Zed.
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Eric Adams, Research Officer.
Witnesses: From the Treasury Board of Canada: W.E.R. Little, Deputy Secretary, Financial and Information Branch; Richard Neville, Assistant Secretary, Financial and Information Management Branch.
In accordance with its mandate under Standing Order 108(2), the Committee received a briefing from Treasury Board of Canada on the government contracting process, procedures and systems, including the open-bidding service.
Richard Neville made an opening statement and, with the other witness, answered questions.
At 4:04 o'clock p.m., Eugène Bellemare took the Chair as Acting Chairman.
At 4:10 o'clock p.m., Paul Zed took the Chair.
At 5:02 o'clock p.m., the Committee proceeded to sit in camera.
The Committee considered its future business.
At 5:15 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1995
(Meeting No. 68)
The Evidence for this meeting is not available because it was held in camera.
(Meeting No. 68)
The Evidence for this meeting is not available because it was held in camera.
The Standing Committee on Government Operations met in camera at 10:39 o'clock a.m. this day, in Room 701, La Promenade, the Chairman, Paul Zed, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Réginald Bélair, Eugène Bellemare, John Bryden, Brenda Chamberlain, Ronald J. Duhamel, Ian Murray and Paul Zed.
Acting Member present: Dick Harris for Bill Gilmour.
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Eric Adams, Research Officer.
Witnesses: From the Public Works and Government Services Department: Alan Williams, Assistant Deputy Minister, Supply Operations Service Branch; Barry Lipsett, Director General, Supply Program Management Sector; Luci Dove, OBS Contract Manager.
The Committee considered its future business.
It was agreed,--That pursuant to the motion adopted on October 26, 1995 to create a Sub-Committee to study Bill C-84, the Regulations Act, the membership be Messrs: Ian Murray (Chairman), Ghislain Lebel, Derek Lee, Tom Wappel and Ted White.
It was agreed,--That the Committee retain the services of Suzanne Perry Morrison as media consultant for the period of November 22 to December 31, 1995, to assist in the consideration of the review of the government contracting process and systems, and that the contractor be paid at a daily rate of $575.00 in accordance with the contracting policy of the House of Commons for an amount not to exceed $2500.00 and for travel expenses not to exceed $2500.00
At 11:12 o'clock a.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 11:19 o'clock a.m., the Committee proceeded to sit in public.
In accordance with its mandate under Standing Order 108(2), the Committee received a demonstration on the open bidding service.
Alan Williams made an opening statement and, with the other witnesses, answered questions.
At 12:27 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1995
(Meeting No. 69)
(Meeting No. 69)
The Standing Committee on Government Operations met at 3:29 o'clock p.m. this day, in Room 112-N, Centre Block, the Chairman, Paul Zed, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Gérard Asselin, Réginald Bélair, John Bryden, Ronald J. Duhamel, Bill Gilmour, Ian Murray and Paul Zed.
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Eric Adams, Research Officer. From the Legislative Counsel Office: Paulette Nadeau, Legislative Clerk.
Witness: From the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation: Gilles E. Girard, Senior Vice-President, Insurance, Land and Asset Administration.
In accordance with its mandate under Standing Order 108(1) and its Order of Wednesday, November 8, 1995, the Committee proceeded to consider Bill C-108, An Act to amend the National Housing Act.
Gilles Girard answered questions.
Clause 1 and 2 carried on division.
The Title carried.
The Bill carried on division.
Ordered,--That the Chair report Bill C-108 without amendments to the House.
At 3:40 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1995
(Meeting No. 70)
(Meeting No. 70)
The Standing Committee on Government Operations met at 11:12 o'clock a.m. this day, in Room 269, West Block, the Chairman, Paul Zed, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Réginald Bélair, Eugène Bellemare, John Bryden, Brenda Chamberlain, Ronald J. Duhamel, Jean-Paul Marchand, Ian Murray and Paul Zed.
Acting Member present: Dick Harris for Randy White.
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Eric Adams, Research Officer.
Witnesses: From the Treasury Board of Canada: W.E.R. Little, Deputy Secretary, Financial and Information Management Branch; R. Campbell, Director, Financial and Information Management Branch; R. Neville, Assistant Secretary, Financial and Information Management Branch.
In accordance with its mandate under Standing Order 108(2), the Committee resumed its study on the government contracting process, procedures and systems, including the open-bidding system (See Minutes of Proceedings, dated Wednesday, November 8, 1995, Issue No. 43).
W.E.R. Little made an opening statement and, with the other witnesses, answered questions.
At 12:42 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1995
(Meeting No. 71)
(Meeting No. 71)
The Standing Committee on Government Operations met at 11:08 o'clock a.m. this day, in Room 209, West Block, the Chairman, Paul Zed, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Réginald Bélair, John Bryden, Ronald J. Duhamel, Bill Gilmour, Ian Murray and Paul Zed.
Acting Member present: Derek Lee for Eugène Bellemare.
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Eric Adams, Research Officer.
Witnesses: From the Department of National Defence: John McLure, Associate Deputy Minister; Pierre Lagueux, Assistant Deputy Minister, Equipment program management.
In accordance with its mandate under Standing Order 108(2), the Committee resumed its study on the government contracting process, procedures and systems, including the open-bidding system (See Minutes of Proceedings, dated Wednesday, November 8, 1995, Issue No. 43).
John McLure made an opening statement and, with the other witness, answered questions.
At 11:44 o'clock a.m., Ian Murray took the Chair as Acting Chair.
At 11:47 o'clock a.m., Paul Zed took the Chair.
At 12:23 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1995
(Meeting No. 72)
(Meeting No. 72)
The Standing Committee on Government Operations met at 10:12 o'clock a.m. this day, in Room 269, West Block, the Chairman, Paul Zed, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Réginald Bélair, Eugène Bellemare, John Bryden, Brenda Chamberlain, Ronald J. Duhamel, Bill Gilmour and Paul Zed.
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Eric Adams, Research Officer.
Witnesses: From Health Canada: Robert S. Lafleur, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services Branch; Eric Russell, Director, Material Management Division, Assets Management Directorate, Corporate Services Branch. From Revenue Canada: William Crandall, Assistant Deputy Minister, Finance and Administration; Randy Dudding, Director, Administration Directorate, Finance and Administration Branch; Ray Jones, Director, Publications Directorate, Finance and Administration Branch.
In accordance with its mandate under Standing Order 108(2), the Committee resumed its study on the government contracting process, procedures and systems, including the open-bidding system (See Minutes of Proceedings, dated Wednesday, November 8, 1995, Issue No. 43).
Robert S. Lafleur from Health Canada made an opening statement, and, with the other witness, answered questions.
At 11:15 o'clock a.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 11:25 o'clock a.m., the sitting resumed.
William Crandall from Revenue Canada made an opening statement, and with the other witnesses, answered questions.
At 12:22 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
Diane Diotte
Clerk of the Committee