Government Operations Committee on March 12th, 2012
Evidence of meeting #33 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was million.
A recording is available from Parliament.
On the agenda
- Main Estimates 2012-2013: Votes 95, 100, 105 and 110 under CANADIAN HERITAGE, Vote 1 under GOVERNOR GENERAL, Vote 1 under PARLIAMENT, Votes 1, 5, 10 and 25 under PRIVY COUNCIL, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 under PUBLIC WORKS AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES, Votes 1, 5, 10, 20, 25, 30, 33, 40 and 50 under TREASURY BOARD
- Supplementary Estimates (C) 2011-2012: Vote 105c under CANADIAN HERITAGE, Vote 1c under PRIVY COUNCIL, Votes 1c, 5c, 7c, 13c, 17c and 21c under PUBLIC WORKS AND GOVERNMNENT SERVICES and Votes 1c and 15c under TREASURY BOARD
MPs speaking
Also speaking
- François Guimont Deputy Minister, Deputy Receiver General for Canada, Department of Public Works and Government Services
- Liseanne Forand President, Shared Services Canada
- Alex Lakroni Chief Financial Officer, Finance Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
- Renée Jolicoeur Assistant Deputy Minister, Accounting, Banking and Compensation Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
- Pierre-Marc Mongeau Assistant Deputy Minister, Parliamentary Precinct Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
- Tom Ring Assistant Deputy Minister, Acquisitions Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
Kelly Block Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar, SK
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
It always seems that I have a cold and I am sometimes struggling with my voice when I have an opportunity to ask questions of you and the department.
I want to....
3:55 p.m.
NDP
Mathieu Ravignat Pontiac, QC
I apologize for interrupting you, Mrs. Block, but I think we have agreed as a committee that when the bell rings, it's over.
3:55 p.m.
NDP
The Chair Pat Martin
We have 30-minute bells. If there's unanimous consent, we can finish this round.
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
3:55 p.m.
NDP
3:55 p.m.
NDP
3:55 p.m.
NDP
The Chair Pat Martin
There's interest on this side at least to conclude one round of questioning. If we finish Kelly's five minutes and let the Liberals have five minutes, at least all three parties would have had an opportunity. That would leave us still 20 minutes to get back for this vote. What's the will of the committee? Is there consent?
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
Mike Wallace Burlington, ON
The answer is no, on the condition that it may be convenient today or sound like a good idea today, but trust me being here six years that once you decide to go that route, then you have to open it up always.
3:55 p.m.
NDP
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
Mike Wallace Burlington, ON
My view is that we follow the rules. When the bells ring, you're supposed to attend the House of Commons, and so you do not have unanimous consent.
3:55 p.m.
NDP
March 12th, 2012 / 3:55 p.m.
NDP
Alexandre Boulerice Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC
Mr. Chair, that's exactly what I wanted to point out. It is very rare that we have the opportunity to ask the Minister or other ministers and their assistants questions. We don't have just any witness here today. It would be good to have another 10 minutes. We can make it in 20 minutes.
3:55 p.m.
NDP
Mathieu Ravignat Pontiac, QC
It also seems to me that we can use our judgment when the bell rings while we're in the middle of asking questions.
3:55 p.m.
NDP
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
Mike Wallace Burlington, ON
Can we check with the clerk to see if it's debatable? I don't know why we're debating it. It's not debatable.