Evidence of meeting #24 for Finance in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was position.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:20 p.m.
Parliamentary Librarian, Library of Parliament
Last year we saw $250,000 in our supplementary estimates to assist us in setting up the office, but because that did not happen, we returned that money. It lapsed, and we have funded all the activities related to setting up this office internally.
4:20 p.m.
Conservative
4:20 p.m.
Parliamentary Librarian, Library of Parliament
Currently most of the library staff are housed at 50 O'Connor. I sent a letter to the deputy minister of public works as soon as the officer was included in the Parliament of Canada Act, and we currently are going to be getting additional space there for this.
4:20 p.m.
Conservative
Mike Wallace Conservative Burlington, ON
If it happens to get reclassified, will it require a whole new round of applications and search?
4:20 p.m.
Parliamentary Librarian, Library of Parliament
I don't believe so. I will let Mr. Darling explain, as he's been in charge of the selection process.
4:20 p.m.
Senior Special Advisor, Parliamentary Budget Officer Project, Library of Parliament
I think the search process was very thorough, and it canvassed the community of people who would have the skills and ability to undertake this function. Changing the classification wouldn't change that pool of candidates.
4:20 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield
Thank you.
We have six minutes left, and I'm going to split it in the last round between the Liberals and the Conservatives.
Go ahead, Mr. Pacetti.
4:20 p.m.
Liberal
Massimo Pacetti Liberal Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I want to get two points in, and again I want to get to the structure, but before that I want to address Mr. Darling's points, both when I asked him the question and when Mr. McKay asked a question.
Again, I see this as being totally independent, but I see the parliamentary budget office preparing fiscal forecasts and, along with that, some economic analysis.
4:20 p.m.
Senior Special Advisor, Parliamentary Budget Officer Project, Library of Parliament
If that is where the committee indicates to the officer they wish him to undertake endeavours, I think that is consistent with the act, because he does respond to requests from committees.
4:20 p.m.
Liberal
Massimo Pacetti Liberal Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC
But it's not just about economic analysis, because we can get that from--
4:20 p.m.
Senior Special Advisor, Parliamentary Budget Officer Project, Library of Parliament
No, it can be a study of anything.
4:20 p.m.
Liberal
Massimo Pacetti Liberal Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC
We're looking at fiscal forecasts; that's key.
Mr. Young, I think you mentioned it, but did you interpret the act to say that it was independent, or how did that come about?
February 13th, 2008 / 4:25 p.m.
Parliamentary Librarian, Library of Parliament
The library is independent.
4:25 p.m.
Liberal
Massimo Pacetti Liberal Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC
I understand that, but in terms of legislative authority, who does the top person at the Library of Parliament answer to, the Speaker?
4:25 p.m.
Parliamentary Librarian, Library of Parliament
I am responsible to the Speaker of the House of Commons and the Speaker of the Senate.
4:25 p.m.
Liberal
Massimo Pacetti Liberal Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC
So wouldn't you think a position such as this would have been under the responsibility of the Speaker of the House?
4:25 p.m.
Liberal
Massimo Pacetti Liberal Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC
Who would have interpreted it that it had to go through...? I'm not familiar with the act. Does it say in the act that the House leader decides?
4:25 p.m.
Liberal
Massimo Pacetti Liberal Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC
With respect to structure, in your paper you discuss two levels I'm not familiar with: EX-3 and GCQ-5. What is the difference in salary?
4:25 p.m.
Senior Special Advisor, Parliamentary Budget Officer Project, Library of Parliament
An EX-3 is paid $5,000 more annually than a GCQ-5.
4:25 p.m.
Senior Special Advisor, Parliamentary Budget Officer Project, Library of Parliament
I don't have the ranges, but those in the GCQ classification, because it's a Q classification, are not eligible for performance pay on top of the base salary.
4:25 p.m.
Liberal
Massimo Pacetti Liberal Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC
Are we talking $100,000, $200,000, $2 million?
4:25 p.m.
Senior Special Advisor, Parliamentary Budget Officer Project, Library of Parliament
A GCQ-5 could go to $145,000, approximately, but you will have PCO people who are....