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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 30

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

The Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates met in a televised session at 8:45 a.m. this day, in Room 237-C, Centre Block, the Chair, the Hon. John McKay, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Diane Bourgeois, Paul Calandra, Blaine Calkins, Siobhan Coady, Jacques Gourde, Ed Holder, Pat Martin, Hon. John McKay, Hon. Geoff Regan, Robert Vincent and Chris Warkentin.

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Édison Roy-César, Analyst ; Maxime-Olivier Thibodeau, Analyst.

Witnesses: Correctional Service Canada: Liette Dumas-Sluyter, Acting Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Services. Privy Council Office: Ward P.D. Elcock, Former Coordinator of Olympic and G8/G20 Security. Correctional Service Canada: Don Head, Commissioner. Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade: Peter McGovern, Assistant Deputy Minister, Asia and Chief Trade Commissioner.

The Committee proceeded to the consideration of matters related to Committee business.

Diane Bourgeois moved, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee investigate as soon as possible the allegations of interference and lobbying in the awarding of contracts by the Department of Public Works and Government Services, primarily regarding, but not limited to, the contracts to renovate buildings on Parliament Hill; that the Committee call the following witnesses to appear regarding this matter: Gilles Varin, Conservative Party of Canada Organizer; Paul Sauvé, businessman; Christian Paradis, former Minister of Public Works and Government Services; Hubert Pichet, Assistant to Conservative Senator Pierre-Claude Nolin; Michael Fortier, lawyer; Joseph Broccolini, Broccolini Construction; Julia Gersovitz, of Fournier, Gersovitz, Moss and Associés; Norman Glouberman, from the ARCOP Group; as well as any other witnesses the Committee deems relevant; and that the Committee report its findings and recommendations to the House.

Debate arose thereon.

It was agreed, — That the motion be amended by deleting the words “Hubert Pichet, Assistant to Conservative Senator Pierre-Claude Nolin;”.

It was agreed, — That the motion be amended by adding after the words “recommendations to the House” the following: “and that further, the Committee recommends a moratorium on all tendering of contracts associated with the parliament buildings until the study is concluded”.

It was agreed, — That the motion be amended by deleting the words “Conservative Party of Canada Organizer”.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and the result of the vote was announced: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 5.

Whereupon, the Chair voted in the affirmative.

Accordingly, the motion was agreed to.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee investigate as soon as possible the allegations of interference and lobbying in the awarding of contracts by the Department of Public Works and Government Services, primarily regarding, but not limited to, the contracts to renovate buildings on Parliament Hill; that the Committee call the following witnesses to appear regarding this matter: Gilles Varin; Paul Sauvé, businessman; Christian Paradis, former Minister of Public Works and Government Services; Michael Fortier, lawyer; Joseph Broccolini, Broccolini Construction; Julia Gersovitz, of Fournier, Gersovitz, Moss and Associés; Norman Glouberman, from the ARCOP Group; as well as any other witnesses the Committee deems relevant; that the Committee report its findings and recommendations to the House; and that further, the Committee recommends a moratorium on all tendering of contracts associated with the parliament buildings until the study is concluded.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(c) and the motion adopted by the Committee on Monday, March 15, 2010 the Committee resumed its study of the freeze on departmental budget envelopes and government operations.

Don Head made a statement and, with the other witness, answered questions.

At 9:48 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 9:50 a.m., the sitting resumed.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(c)(iv) and 108(3)(c)(viii) and the motion adopted by the Committee on Thursday, October 7, 2010, the Committee commenced its study of the effectiveness, management and operation of the expenses incurred for the G8/G20 Summits.

Ward P.D. Elcock and Peter McGovern made statements and answered questions.

It was agreed, — That the proposed budget of $13,575 to study Bill C-429, An Act to amend the Department of Public Works and Government Services Act (use of wood), be adopted and that the Chair submit the budget to the Liaison Committee.

At 10:54 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Marc-Olivier Girard
Clerk of the Committee

2010/10/21 4:32 p.m.