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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
 
Meeting No. 15
 
Thursday, March 25, 2004
 

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts met in a televised session at 9:08 a.m. this day, in Room 237-C Centre Block, the Chair, John Williams, presiding.

 

Members of the Committee present: Marlene Jennings, Hon. Walt Lastewka, Dominic LeBlanc, Hon. Shawn Murphy, Beth Phinney, Alan Tonks, Judy Wasylycia-Leis and John Williams.

 

Acting Members present: Diane Ablonczy for Philip Mayfield, Monique Guay for Odina Desrochers, Michel Guimond for Roger Gaudet, Jason Kenney for Paul Forseth, Peter MacKay for Peter Goldring, Dennis Mills for Hon. Maurizio Bevilacqua, Hon. Robert Thibault for Hon. Steve Mahoney and Vic Toews for Val Meredith.

 

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Jean Dupuis, Analyst; Brian O'Neal, Analyst. House of Commons: Gregory Tardi, Senior Legal Counsel; Rob Walsh, Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel.

 

Witnesses: As an Individual: Huguette Tremblay. Hon. Diane Marleau, P.C., M.P..

 

Other Participants present: KPMG: Mark Brenning, Forensic Auditor; Paul Levine, Forensic Auditor. As an Individual: Michel Swanston, Counsel to Huguette Tremblay.

 
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(g), the Committee resumed consideration of Chapter 3, the Sponsorship Program, Chapter 4, Advertising Activities and Chapter 5, Management of Public Opinion Research of the November 2003 Report of the Auditor General of Canada referred to the Committee on February 10, 2004.
 

On motion of Alan Tonks, it was agreed, — That the Committee hear at least two witnesses should Charles Guité fail to appear on April 1, 2004, that they both be heads of advertising agencies named in the November 2003 Auditor General’s Report, and that one of those witnesses be Jean Lafleur if scheduling permits.

 

On motion of Marlene Jennings, it was agreed, — That this Committee, in addition to its meetings scheduled on April 5, 6 and 7, 2004, meet on two (2) days during the week of April 12, 2004, namely Tuesday, April 13, 2004 and Wednesday, April 14, 2004, for the purpose of hearing witnesses on Tuesday, April 12, 2004 and for receiving a submission by the Co-Clerks, Law Clerk and Analysts of a draft First Report based upon all evidence received to date by this Committee.

 

By unanimous consent, on motion of Diane Ablonczy, it was agreed, — That any persons, whether public servants or members of the general public, having information that the person considers relevant to the sponsorship inquiry of this Committee, but who are reluctant or unwilling at this time to come forward publicly, be invited to contact the Public Accounts Committee legal counsel, the Law Clerk, by telephone at (613) 996-1057 or by fax at (613) 992-4317, and that these persons be assured that the Law Clerk will be bound by this motion to respect the privacy of such calls as if governed by solicitor-client privilege, that is, with absolute confidentiality as to the identity of the person providing the information;

And, that further, that this Committee requests the above arrangement for a completely confidential Committee contact be published at the beginning and end of each televised meeting of this Committee.

 

Huguette Tremblay made a statement and answered questions.

 

At 10:38 a.m., Marlene Jennings took the Chair.

 

At 10:43 a.m., John Williams took the Chair.

 

At 11:43 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:03 p.m., the sitting resumed.

 

The Honourable Diane Marleau made a statement and answered questions.

 

At 12:56 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

 



Elizabeth B. Kingston, Jeremy LeBlanc
Clerks of the Committee

 
 
2004/05/07 11:00 a.m.