PACC Committee Meeting
Notices of Meeting include information about the subject matter to be examined by the committee and date, time and place of the meeting, as well as a list of any witnesses scheduled to appear. The Evidence is the edited and revised transcript of what is said before a committee. The Minutes of Proceedings are the official record of the business conducted by the committee at a sitting.
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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Meeting No. 57
Thursday, May 30, 2002
The Standing Committee on Public Accounts met in a televised session at 3:30 p.m. this day, in Room 308, West Block, the Chair, John Williams, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Robert Bertrand, John Bryden, John Finlay, Paul Forseth, Mac Harb, Sophia Leung, Pat Martin, Philip Mayfield, Shawn Murphy, Beth Phinney, Alex Shepherd and John Williams.
Acting Members present: Alan Tonks for Joe Peschisolido; Cheryl Gallant and Val Meredith for Rahim Jaffer; Ghislain Lebel for Odina Desrochers; Serge Cardin for Gilles-A. Perron; Gerald Keddy for Greg Thompson.
Associate Members present: Serge Cardin, Cheryl Gallant, Gerald Keddy and Val Meredith.
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Brian O'Neal and Jean Dupuis, Research Officers.
Witnesses: From the Office of the Auditor General: Sheila Fraser, Auditor General of Canada; Ronald Campbell, Principal. From the Department of Health: Scott Broughton, Assistant Deputy Minister, Population and Public Health Branch; Patrick Borbey, Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services Branch. From the Department of Public Works and Government Services: Michael G. Nurse, Associate Deputy Minister; Jane Billings, Assistant Deputy Minister, Supply Operations Service Branch; Michel Rancourt, Senior Director, Science Procurement Directorate.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(e), the Committee commenced consideration of the Report of the Auditor General of Canada dated May 8, 2002 on Groupaction Communications.
Sheila Fraser made a statement and answered questions.
At 4:03 p.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 4:10 p.m., the sitting resumed in regular session.
John Bryden moved, - That this Committee request the appearance of the officials suggested by the Auditor General by her testimony in the Groupaction investigation.
After debate, it was agreed, - That the motion be allowed to stand until the next meeting of the Committee.
Pat Martin moved, - That the Public Accounts Committee recommend that the President of the Treasury Board announce a general amnesty for any public servant willing to come forward with information regarding Groupaction sponsorship contracts.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was negatived.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(e), the Committee commenced consideration of Chapter 8 - Other Audit Observations (Health Canada and Public Works and Government Services Canada) of the April 2002 Report of the Auditor General of Canada.
By unanimous consent, it was agreed, - That the opening statements of the officials from the Department of Public Works and Government Services and the Department of Health be taken as read and published into today’s Evidence.
The witnesses made statements and answered questions.
At 5:30 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
Richard Rumas
Clerk of the Committee