Evidence of meeting #61 for Finance in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was transfer.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Glenn Campbell  Director, International Policy and Analysis Division , Department of Finance
Gilles Moreau  Director General, National Compensation, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Department of Public Safety
Jonathan Roy  Senior Policy Analyst, Social Policy, Health, Justice, Culture, Department of Finance
Daniel MacDonald  Chief, Federal-Provincial Relations Division, CHT/CST and Northern Policy, Department of Finance
John Davies  Director General, National Security Policy, Department of Public Safety
Darryl Hirsch  Senior Policy Analyst, Intelligence Policy and Coordination, Department of Public Safety
Nigel Harrison  Manager, Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
David Gillis  Director General, Ecosystems and Oceans Science Sector, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
David Lee  Director, Office of Legislative and Regulatory Modernization; Policy, Planning and International Affairs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Department of Health
Samuel Godefroy  Director General, Food Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Department of Health
Alwyn Child  Director General, Program Development and Guidance Directorate, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
Annette Nicholson  Secretary and General Counsel, International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
Lenore Duff  Senior Director, Strategic Policy and Legislative Reform, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
Dominique La Salle  Director General, Seniors and Pensions Policy Secretariat, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
Nathalie Martel  Director, Old Age Security Policy, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
Bruno Rodrigue  Chief, Social policy, Income Security, Department of Finance
Annette Vermaeten  Director, Task Force, Special Projects, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
Eileen Boyd  Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Senior Personnel, Privy Council Office
Neil Bouwer  Vice-President, Policy and Programs, Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Lynn Tassé  Director, Canada Gazette, Department of Public Works and Government Services
Gerard Peets  Senior Director, Strategy and Planning Directorate, Department of Industry
Patricia Brady  Director, Investment, Insolvency, Competition and Corporate Policy Directorate, Department of Industry
Andy Lalonde  Manager, Preclearance, Canada Border Services Agency, Department of Public Safety
Lynn Hemmings  Senior Chief, Payments, Payments and Pensions, Financial Sector Policy Branch, Department of Finance

8 p.m.

Liberal

Scott Brison Liberal Kings—Hants, NS

This is one of the most hilarious farces I've seen. I know what position you've been put in—

8 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

One minute.

8 p.m.

Liberal

Scott Brison Liberal Kings—Hants, NS

—to be public servants and not to be permitted to tell Parliament the cost of the decisions being rendered that we're asked to vote on.

You have said that the chief actuarial officer will provide us with this information.

8 p.m.

Chief, Social policy, Income Security, Department of Finance

Bruno Rodrigue

The Minister of HRSD has to cause an evaluation and the chief actuary has to produce a report. Then the Minister of HRSD will table this report in the House of Commons.

8 p.m.

Liberal

Scott Brison Liberal Kings—Hants, NS

After we vote--that is the timeline of that.

8 p.m.

Chief, Social policy, Income Security, Department of Finance

Bruno Rodrigue

It's at their discretion.

8 p.m.

Liberal

Scott Brison Liberal Kings—Hants, NS

I just want to remind you, again—and I'm actually in the process of getting a printed copy to distribute to you—that if decisions to which the discussion papers relate have been made public, this is no longer a question of cabinet confidence. So if you're being asked by cabinet to not share this information, you're being asked effectively to break the law—

8 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Okay.

8 p.m.

Chief, Social policy, Income Security, Department of Finance

Bruno Rodrigue

I'm just saying that I—

8 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Point of order, Mr. Jean.

8 p.m.

Conservative

Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB

You know we've heard this same line of questioning. We've heard information that the gentleman is obeying the law of the land, which is cabinet confidence. I'm sure Mr. Brison understands what it's like to keep a secret as a minister.

8 p.m.

Liberal

Scott Brison Liberal Kings—Hants, NS

Absolutely.

8 p.m.

Conservative

Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB

In this situation an official has clearly indicated that he cannot share that information. There are other processes in place where Mr. Brison can ask for that, including ATIP and others, and he would receive the appropriate information if indeed it is legally able to be obtained. Otherwise, could he please stop badgering the witness?

8 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

On this point of order, I have—

8 p.m.

Liberal

Scott Brison Liberal Kings—Hants, NS

That doesn't cut into my time?

8 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

No, it doesn't, but your time is up, actually. I was being generous.

8 p.m.

NDP

Peggy Nash NDP Parkdale—High Park, ON

Can I get back on the speakers list?

8 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Okay, we'll go to Ms. Nash, please.

8 p.m.

NDP

Peggy Nash NDP Parkdale—High Park, ON

I would like one further clarification.

Back in 2007, in the March 20 budget, the minister promised to release a report later in the year that would provide a broad analysis of current and future demographic changes and the implication of these changes for Canada's long-run economic and fiscal outlook. That report has never been released. It was presumably conducted, because he said it had been conducted. It was conducted using our public dollars, and I'd like to ask you if you can provide this committee with that report.

May 17th, 2012 / 8 p.m.

Chief, Social policy, Income Security, Department of Finance

Bruno Rodrigue

You said the Minister of Finance made that commitment in the budget?

8 p.m.

NDP

Peggy Nash NDP Parkdale—High Park, ON

Yes, it was in the budget.

8 p.m.

Chief, Social policy, Income Security, Department of Finance

Bruno Rodrigue

This is something we can look into. I don't have any information about it.

8 p.m.

NDP

Peggy Nash NDP Parkdale—High Park, ON

Okay. If that report exists, would you make it available to the committee?

8 p.m.

Chief, Social policy, Income Security, Department of Finance

Bruno Rodrigue

If the report exists, the government will have to make the decision whether or not it releases it.

8 p.m.

NDP

Peggy Nash NDP Parkdale—High Park, ON

Okay, thank you.