OGGO Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 34

Tuesday, November 2, 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, Jacques Gourde, Ed Holder, Pat Martin, Hon. John McKay, Hon. Geoff Regan and Chris Warkentin.

Acting Members present: Raymonde Folco for Siobhan Coady and Marc Lemay for Robert Vincent.

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

Witnesses: As individuals: Julia Gersovitz; Norman Glouberman; Gilles Varin.

Participants present: As an individual: Jean-Stéphane Rousseau, Lawyer.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(c)(i) and the motion adopted by the Committee on Tuesday, October 19, 2010, the Committee resumed its study of the management of the Department of Public Works and Government Services in awarding of contracts for the renovation of parliamentary buildings.

It was agreed, — That Gilles Varin be permitted to be assisted by counsel when he appears today.

Gilles Varin was called, duly sworn in and examined.

Gilles Varin made a statement and answered questions.

It was agreed, — That, notwithstanding the Committee rule on distribution of documents, the Clerk be authorized to distribute the newspaper article from Le Devoir entitled “Portrait — LM Sauvé ou les aléas d'une petite entreprise familiale en transition” in French only.

At 9:46 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 9:52 a.m., the sitting resumed.

Julia Gersovitz and Norman Glouberman answered questions.

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

Geoff Regan moved, — That the Department of Public Works and Government Services provide the Committee with a list of the all people who communicated with and within the department regarding changing the criteria for the contract to renovate the West Block building, as well as the names of the employees at Public Works and Government Services who made the changes to the criteria for this project; that the Committee also request that Public Works and Government Services provide it with all documentation, written and electronic, from people within the department and with outside parties on the change in criteria for this project; and that all material be provided to the Committee within five calendar days.

Debate arose thereon.

It was agreed, — That the motion be amended by replacing the word “calendar” with the word “business”.

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 the Department of Public Works and Government Services provide the Committee with a list of the all people who communicated with and within the department regarding changing the criteria for the contract to renovate the West Block building, as well as the names of the employees at Public Works and Government Services who made the changes to the criteria for this project; that the Committee also request that Public Works and Government Services provide it with all documentation, written and electronic, from people within the department and with outside parties on the change in criteria for this project; and that all material be provided to the Committee within five business days.

At 10:48 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Marc-Olivier Girard
Clerk of the Committee

2011/01/28 9:15 a.m.