PACC Committee Report
If you have any questions or comments regarding the accessibility of this publication, please contact us at accessible@parl.gc.ca.
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Thursday, March 22, 2001
(Meeting No. 7)
The Standing Committee on Public Accounts met in camera at 3:42 p.m. this day, in Room 209, West Block, the Chair, John Williams, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: John Bryden, Odina Desrochers, John Finlay, Mac Harb, Marlene Jennings, Philip Mayfield, Shawn Murphy, Joe Peschisolido, Alex Shepherd and John Williams.
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Brian O'Neal and Jean Dupuis, research officers.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(e), the Committee proceeded to consider the report of the Sub-committee on International Financial Reporting Guidelines and Standards for the Public Sector as recommended by the Sub-committee to the Standing Committee on Friday, October 20, 2000
At 4:24 p.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 4:32 p.m., the sitting resumed.
At 4:38 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
Tuesday, March 27, 2001
(Meeting No. 8)
The Standing Committee on Public Accounts met at 3:35 p.m. this day, in Room 209, West Block, the Chair, John Williams, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: John Bryden, Odina Desrochers, John Finlay, Mac Harb, Marlene Jennings, Philip Mayfield, Shawn Murphy, Joe Peschisolido, Alex Shepherd, Greg Thompson and John Williams.
Acting Members present: Reg Alcock for Gerry Byrne and Jim Abbott for Philip Mayfield.
Associate Member present: Jim Abbott.
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 of Canada: L. Denis Desautels, Auditor General of Canada; Douglas Timmins, Assistant Auditor General, Audit Operations Branch; Maria Barrados, Assistant Auditor General. From the Treasury Board Secretariat: Richard J. Neville, Deputy Comptroller General; Keith Coulter, Assistant Secretary, Planning, Performance and Reporting Sector; Rodney Monette, Assistant Comptroller General and Assistant Secretary, Financial Management Policy and Analysis Sector.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(e), the Committee proceeded to consider the Heating Fuel Rebate Waiver request by Treasury Board, Matters of Special Importance of the December 2000 Report of the Auditor General of Canada and the Treasury Board Internal Audit and Evaluation Policy.
Richard J. Neville from the Treasury Board Secretariat made a statement.
By unanimous consent, the Committee resumed consideration of the report of the Sub‑committee on International Financial Reporting Guidelines and Standards for the Public Sector as recommended by the Sub-Committee to the Standing committee on Friday, October 20 2000.
On motion of Alex Shepherd, it was agreed, — That the Committee adopt the report as the second report of the Committee.
On motion of Marlene Jennings, it was agreed, — That pursuant to Standing Order 109, the Committee request that the Government provide a comprehensive response to this report.
On motion of John Finlay, it was agreed, — That the Chair be authorized to make such grammatical and editorial changes to the report as may be necessary without changing the substance of the report.
On motion of Shawn Murphy, it was agreed, — That the Committee print 50 copies of its second report in a tumble bilingual format.
On motion of Mac Harb, it was agreed, — That the Chair table the second report to the House.
Marlene Jennings moved, — That the Committee accede to the request for the publication waiver in the Public Accounts of Canada for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2001, respecting the ex gratia one-time relief payments for higher heating expenses to those individuals who qualify for Goods and Services Tax Credit for the year 2001 —applied on their 1999 Income Tax Returns as requested in the letter dated December 21, 2000 from Richard J. Neville, Deputy Comptroller General, provided that the nature, the number and total amount of payments is published in the Public Accounts of Canada.
Joe Peschisolido moved, — That the motion be amended by deleting the period at the end of the paragraph and adding the following thereto:
and that Treasury Board shall publish the names of rebate recipients on their Web site and in the electronic version of the Public Accounts of Canada on the Public Works and Government Services Web site.
And debate arising thereon;
Jim Abbott moved, — That the consideration of the amendment and the motion be deferred to a subsequent meeting pending the receipt of legal advice by the Chair.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was negatived on the following division: YEAS: 3, NAYS: 7.
The question being put on the amendment, it was negatived on the following division: YEAS: 3, NAYS: 7.
And the question being put on the motion, it was unanimously agreed to.
On motion of Shawn Murphy, it was agreed, — That the brief submitted by the Canadian Evaluation Society be printed as an appendix to this day's minutes of proceedings. (See Appendix A)
L. Denis Desautels from the Office of the Auditor General of Canada made a statement.
Richard J. Neville, Keith Coulter and L. Denis Desautels answered questions.
At 5:30 p.m., the Committee adjourned until 3:30 p.m., Thursday, March 29, 2001.
Santosh Sirpaul
Clerk of the Committee