Government Operations Committee on June 4th, 2009

Evidence of meeting #26 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was money.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Economic Stimulus Package

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Daniel Watson Associate Deputy Minister, Western Economic Diversification

Kevin Lindsey Chief Financial Officer, Department of Industry

Pat Mortimer Vice-President, Technology and Industry Support, National Research Council Canada

Michael F. Robins Senior Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited

Frank Vermaeten Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development

Joanne Lamothe Acting Assistant Deputy Minister, Programs Operation Branch, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development

1 p.m.

Vice-President, Technology and Industry Support, National Research Council Canada

Pat Mortimer

In our case, following the directions in the budget, we have met with both the minister's office and the Deputy Minister of Industry, and we've been sending biweekly reports on how quickly we're moving, two months before we got the money. So we have been getting directions on the importance.

1 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Derek Lee

Okay, that's good. Thank you.

Mr. Robins.

1 p.m.

Senior Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited

Michael F. Robins

I got a phone call from the deputy general in NRCan, who said, let's get going.

1 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Derek Lee

Okay, thank you.

Mr. Vermaeten.

1 p.m.

Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development

Frank Vermaeten

The budget clearly spelled out the measures we were asked to implement, and under the guidance of the deputy minister we did so in a very diligent fashion.

1 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Derek Lee

I accept that the EI program had its own potential built-in escalators too.

Okay, thank you for answering that question.

There were a couple of members who wanted to ask a couple of questions, but we don't have enough time. On behalf of colleagues, I want to thank all of the witnesses for coming. Some of you had only about a week's notice, and I appreciate the information you've brought to the committee. It has been useful to committee members and, I hope, the House. So thank you for attending.

I'll just point out that we have received from the Public Service Commission a very apt and important report with respect to previous appearances. I hope you'll have a chance to look at it before the next meeting with them.

I see no further business, so we can adjourn.