Government Operations Committee on March 1st, 2011

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Chris Warkentin]

Who was it sent to?

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

May I finish? It was sent to members of the committee and to the clerk. It says: “Pursuant to the committee rule on notice requirement, this motion may be moved on Tuesday February 15, 2011, or at any later date.”

This is a later date, Mr. Chairman

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Chris Warkentin]

We're just getting some clarity on this. I'm not trying to increase tensions in the room. We're getting some clarity on when it was distributed.

Okay. It is right. I'm being advised that it is before the committee and it can be moved.

[Diane Bourgeois, Bloc, Terrebonne—Blainville, QC]

You sent it to me and I received it, clerk. It was served.

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Move it as it is, or do you want me to read it?

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Chris Warkentin]

Why don't you move it as it is.

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

I move the motion, Mr. Chairman.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Chris Warkentin]

Do we have additional copies of this motion so we can have it distributed?

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

If it helps, I can read it. The thing is that members were all provided with a copy. I'll read the English version, Mr. Chairman:

I move that the committee request Public Works and Government Services Canada to provide it with the following documents, in electronic form, within five business days....

[Diane Bourgeois, Bloc, Terrebonne—Blainville, QC]

Please read more slowly.

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Yes, I'll slow down for the interpreters. Excuse me. I'll do this again slowly.

I move that the committee request that Public Works and Government Services Canada provide it with the following documents, in electronic form, within five business days: (a) the 2005 estimates for the $5 billion parliamentary precinct renovations the Auditor General referenced in her testimony before the committee on Thursday, February 3, 2011; (b) the most recent update of the costs and progress of those renovations; (c) a detailed breakdown of the $94 million increase in the budget for the West Block renovations; (d) and the latest timelines for completing those renovations.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Chris Warkentin]

Is there debate or are there questions with regard to the motion?

Shall we move to a vote?

Monsieur Gourde.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, QC]

I simply want to make sure that the English and French versions are identical. From what I see, the $5 billion figure is indicated in English, but not in French. I can't determine whether the translation is accurate.

What do you think, Ms. Bourgeois?

[Diane Bourgeois, Bloc, Terrebonne—Blainville, QC]

I don't see the $5 billion for the Parliamentary Precinct renovations. However, we can add them right now. That could be done by means of a friendly amendment. All the rest is accurate.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Chris Warkentin]

Is there consensus that this is—

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

So we'll read this: "...les estimations de 2005 relatives aux 5 milliards de dollars de rénovations de la Cité parlementaire..."

Is that fine?

[Diane Bourgeois, Bloc, Terrebonne—Blainville, QC]

Yes.

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Thank you very much.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Chris Warkentin]

The friendly amendment has been accepted. Very good.

(Motion as amended agreed to)

Let's move in camera for the next five minutes.

[Proceedings continue in camera]