Evidence of meeting #49 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was know.
A video is available from Parliament.
6:25 p.m.
Bloc
Julie Vignola Bloc Beauport—Limoilou, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Barton, you said earlier that you were concerned about the French issue.
In the Century Initiative and the growth council reports, which of the recommendations address the protection, development and promotion of French in Quebec and Canada?
6:25 p.m.
As an Individual
I think the focus, again on the growth council, was just on economics. It wasn't thinking about the social context. It was on productivity.
What was said was that one of the advantages to Canada is that we are bilingual. We are multicultural, and it is important to enhance that. When we think about the recruiting of that talent, it is important that we be thoughtful about that and that we be thinking not only about France, but about French West Africa and other parts. That was it. Our focus was really on the number—
6:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
Thank you, both of you.
Before we go to Mr. Johns, I'm just going to intervene for a couple of seconds, because I think I know where Mr. Johns is going to go, and that's fine.
Mr. Barton, thank you for being with us today.
I just have a couple of questions. I'll use chair's prerogative. I want to follow up. I'm going to assume that you were not threatening Mr. Genuis, a member of Parliament. It sounded like you were going down that step. I just want to be very clear that was not your intent.
There was a question that was asked a couple of times. I didn't hear it, but I'm wondering if you could share with us.... When you became ambassador, you sold out your shares in McKinsey. I assume that a cheque was just cut for you. It wasn't in exchange for shares of other.... It was just that a cheque was cut and you ended your relationship with them.
6:30 p.m.
As an Individual
Chair, forgive me, the last thing I wanted to do was threaten. It was more just a general commentary, but that hurts an institution to just throw words around like that. That's why I made that comment.
On the shares, no, those shares were sold, and that's it. There's no swapping on anything.
6:30 p.m.
Conservative
6:30 p.m.
Conservative
6:30 p.m.
NDP
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
Just to get to the bottom of this skyrocketing outsourcing problem, I think we need to include the whole $100 million-plus outsourcing club and half-billion dollar outsourcing club.
Therefore, I move,
That the committee expand its study of federal government consulting contracts awarded to McKinsey & Company to include government consulting contracts awarded to Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Accenture, KPMG and Ernst & Young by the Government of Canada, or any other Crown corporation, since January 1, 2011, examining their effectiveness, management and operation, including the value and service received by the government; that:
(a) the committee hold additional meetings to receive witness testimony from the most senior executives in Canada at Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Accenture, KPMG and Ernst & Young and any other witnesses the committee decides to invite, and the parties shall each provide to the clerk of the committee, by 3:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, their preliminary lists of additional witnesses, who the chair shall schedule in a manner that is fair to all parties; and
(b) the committee expand the orders to send for documents as stipulated in paragraphs (c) and (d) of the motion adopted on January 18, 2023, to include Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Accenture, KPMG and Ernst & Young, and that this order follow the same deadlines and conditions that were detailed in the motion adopted on January 18, 2023, with the reference date for the deadlines beginning on the day on which this motion is adopted.
6:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
Thank you, Mr. Johns.
The motion is in order. Is there debate?
I'm going to suggest, perhaps, that we continue this on Monday at our committee, and if there are no objections we will adjourn for now.
Are you comfortable with that, Mr. Johns?
6:30 p.m.
Liberal
6:30 p.m.
Liberal
Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC
That's what I was wondering. Would she be able to go first, and then we could discuss this after her testimony?
Okay, thank you.
6:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
Yes, I'm pretty sure Mr. Johns would accept that.
Thank you, colleagues. I appreciate it.
We are adjourned.