PACP Committee Report

Thursday, May 11, 2006
(Meeting No. 2)

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts met at 11:05 a.m. this day, in Room 371, West Block, the Chair, Shawn Murphy, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Hon. Navdeep Bains, David Christopherson, Brian Fitzpatrick, Mike Lake, Hon. Shawn Murphy, Richard Nadeau, Yasmin Ratansi, David Sweet, John Williams and Borys Wrzesnewskyj.

Acting Members present: Bill Casey for Pierre Poilievre and Yvon Lévesque for Benoît Sauvageau.

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Brian O'Neal, Analyst; Alex Smith, Analyst.

Witnesses: Office of the Auditor General of Canada: Sheila Fraser, Auditor General; John Wiersema, Deputy Auditor General; Robert D'Aoust, Comptroller.

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

The Chair presented the First Report from the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure which read as follows:

The Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts has the honour to present its

FIRST REPORT

Your Subcommittee met on Tuesday May 9, 2006 and agreed to make the following recommendations:

That 48 hours’ notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee, unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration; and that the notice of motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and distributed to members in both official languages before consideration is given.

That the witnesses be given five (5) minutes to make their opening statements and if they have additional information, it should be deposited with the Clerk of the Committee.

That during the questioning of witnesses the time allocated to each questioner be as follows: On the first round of questioning, eight (8) minutes to a representative of each party in the following order: Liberal, Bloc Québécois, Conservative, NDP, Liberal and Conservative, on the second round of questioning, five (5) minutes per party in the following order: Liberal, Conservative, Bloc Québécois, Conservative, NDP, Liberal and Conservative.

That the 21st Report as amended (Public Accounts of Canada 2005) of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts in the 38th Parliament be concurred in this session of Parliament and that the Chair present this as a Report to the House.

That pursuant to S.O. 109 the Committee requests a global response to this Report from the Government.

That the 22nd Report as amended (Chapter 3 of Report of the Auditor General, April 2005) of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts in the 38th Parliament be concurred in this session of Parliament and that the Chair present this as a Report to the House.

That pursuant to S.O. 109 the Committee requests a global response to this Report from the Government.

That the Committee schedule for the next 3 meetings be as follows:

May 11th: Main Estimates vote 20, under Finance and the Performance Report of the Office of the Auditor General.

May 16th: Lock-up for the Auditor General's Report (no formal meeting) Room 237-C Center Block.

May 18th: (luncheon meeting starting at 12:00): Auditor General's Report tabled May16th followed by a Subcommittee meeting to select the Chapters from the Auditor General's report that will be studied by the committee starting May 30th.

That we hear from the House of Commons Legal Counsel before the Committee further looks at comparing the testimonies before the Gomery Commission and the Public Accounts Committee.

That on an experimental basis, an informal meeting be held with the Auditor General's office and the Departmental officials concerned before a Department appears.

That one meeting with experts be dedicated to a round table on improving the effectiveness of the Public Accounts Committee.

That a proposed budget for ten (10) members and the necessary staff be prepared to permit the Committee to travel to Charlottetown from September 10, 2006 to September 12, 2006 in relation to the Twenty Seventh Conference of the Canadian Council of Public Accounts Committee.

On motion of David Christopherson, it was agreed, — That the First report of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be concurred in.

Pursuant to Standing Order 81(4), the Committee commenced consideration of the Main Estimates 2006-2007: Vote number 20 under Finance referred to the Committee on April 25, 2006.

By unanimous consent, the Chair called Vote number 20 under Finance.

Sheila Fraser made a statement and, with the other witnesses, answered questions.

Vote 20 under FINANCE carried.

On motion of Yvon Lévesque, it was agreed, — That the Chair report Vote 20, less the amounts voted in Interim Supply, under FINANCE to the House.

It was agreed, — That the preferred date for a dinner with the Auditor General would be Monday May 28th, 2006.

It was agreed, — That the Chair seek the permission of the House to authorize the twelve (12) members of the Committee to travel to Charlottetown from September 10 to September 13, 2006 in relation to the Twenty-seventh Annual Conference of the Canadian Council of Public Accounts Committees and that the necessary staff accompany the Committee.

It was agreed, — That the proposed budget in the amount of $ 45,179, for the period of September 10, 2006 to September 13, 2006 be adopted and that members be encouraged to use their travel points to get to and from Charlottetown and that the Chair present the said budget to the Budget Subcommittee of the Liaison Committee for its approval at the earliest opportunity.

At 12:57 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Danielle Bélisle
Clerk of the Committee