Evidence of meeting #22 for Environment and Sustainable Development in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was reductions.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Mark Warawa Conservative Langley, BC
Could you give us a general overview of the recommendations and the response from the government?
Assistant Auditor General, Office of the Auditor General of Canada
They are quite numerous and span both departments. One of the key ones, which we haven't addressed yet in questions or in responses, is that there was a large section of this report that talked about the lack of coordination between the two departments. In Fisheries and Oceans, the minister is ultimately responsible. The responsibility for part of this was given over in 1978 to Environment Canada. What we said was that there's very little of the kind of coordination the department's own policies say should be in place. We recommended in that instance that they in fact review the agreements they have and put things in place. Again, in that response, as with the other ones, we found that the department addressed our recommendations. They put forward actions that on their face could significantly improve the situation.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
Thank you.
Our time here has expired. I want to thank the environment commissioner and his colleagues from the Auditor General's office for coming in.
Have you a final comment, Mr. Vaughan?
Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, Office of the Auditor General of Canada
Yes, very quickly. Thank you, sir.
First of all, one of the honourable members asked if there was a model of compensation. I think it's a great question. We're sorry we're not able to give it, but I would urge him to ask the department, because I think it's a perfect question for what you think is working and why.
There was a question also on what we're going to do with the next audit. The answer is that we're going to look at implementation.
The third thing I wanted to say, sir, is to echo a welcome back. I'm delighted. Our thoughts have been with your family.
Finally, I'm not sure if I'll be before this committee again, but I wanted to put on record that Normand Radford has been a wonderful colleague and I wish him well from our office.
Liberal
David McGuinty Liberal Ottawa South, ON
Mr. Chair, just before we break, and while we've got the benefit of Mr. Radford's continuing excellent experience, can we get a sense from you...? We had a small discussion some time ago about televising our meetings. I think it's very unfortunate this meeting was not televised for the benefit of Canadians to hear from our commissioner and our commissioner's staff. What does it require for us to move to have our proceedings televised on an ongoing basis or at least on an ad hoc basis? Is this subject to a motion every single time?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
Yes. I would recommend the best way to deal with that is to bring forward a motion.
Liberal
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
You'd have to table a motion respecting the timelines we have as a committee in adopting motions, 36 hours' notice. If you wish to have future meetings televised, make sure you table those motions in accordance with our routine procedures.
Liberal
David McGuinty Liberal Ottawa South, ON
So no effort would be made by you, as a normal practice, to get either—
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
I believe that should be the wish of the committee rather than myself.
Liberal
David McGuinty Liberal Ottawa South, ON
I understand. So in this case, no efforts were made, for example, to get a room to have this event televised?
Conservative