In Montreal, there were 41.
Evidence of meeting #62 for Finance in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was work.
A video is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #62 for Finance in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was work.
A video is available from Parliament.
Director, Democracy, Commonwealth and Francophonie Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
In Montreal, there were 41.
Director, Democracy, Commonwealth and Francophonie Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
There are several regional offices. I do not have the exact figure, but it should not be more than about 50.
NDP
Hoang Mai NDP Brossard—La Prairie, QC
How much money is going to be saved by shutting it down? Will money be transferred to the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade because money has been saved?
It is now being said that the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade will take on this role. Will there be some kind of transfer?
Director, Democracy, Commonwealth and Francophonie Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
There will not be, for now.
However, we have been asked to prepare options and submit them to the minister.
NDP
Guy Caron NDP Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC
You said there were conflicts between the board of directors and Mr. Beauregard relating to management. In fact, there was an investigation into Mr. Beauregard's management, was there not?
Director, Democracy, Commonwealth and Francophonie Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
That is correct.
NDP
Guy Caron NDP Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC
Did the investigation reveal that Rights and Democracy had been mismanaged by Mr. Beauregard?
Director, Democracy, Commonwealth and Francophonie Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
The investigation raised some issues.
NDP
Director, Democracy, Commonwealth and Francophonie Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
They related to management as well.
NDP
Director, Democracy, Commonwealth and Francophonie Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
You are testing my memory, but I would say it essentially involved issues relating to accountability, the way the money was spent.
NDP
Guy Caron NDP Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC
Did the investigation reveal that there were problems relating to management?
Director, Democracy, Commonwealth and Francophonie Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
I would not want to characterize the problems. That is not for me to do here. However, certain issues were raised.
Guy Caron NDP Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC
The board of directors had hired an accounting or audit firm to determine whether there were in fact management problems, such as were raised by the board of directors. If I recall correctly, there was absolutely nothing major.
Director, Democracy, Commonwealth and Francophonie Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
It is not for me to characterize what the investigation said. In fact, I think it is public; the results were released publicly. However, as in any type of investigation, there are always issues that come out and recommendations that are made to improve existing practices.
NDP
Guy Caron NDP Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC
There was a new board of directors installed, I think, in about 2007 or 2008. Were there problems between Mr. Beauregard and the previous board of directors?
Director, Democracy, Commonwealth and Francophonie Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
That goes back to a period that was before my time. In fact, there were no problems that made the headlines, as happened after that, certainly. It should be pointed out that there was a pretty tragic event, since Mr. Beauregard died during that period. That further highlighted the problems the organization was having at the time.
NDP
Guy Caron NDP Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC
After that, there was a rather stormy meeting with the new board of directors.
Director, Democracy, Commonwealth and Francophonie Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
It seems so, yes.
NDP
Guy Caron NDP Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC
You said that the situation that existed in 1988, when Rights and Democracy was created, was different from the situation today. Do you mean that Rights and Democracy was not able to adjust to the new geopolitical challenges?
Director, Democracy, Commonwealth and Francophonie Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Rights and Democracy had a very specific mandate, which was established by Parliament. The organization could not operate outside that mandate.
I am referring to the question of this type of tool. Is this the most useful one, today, for implementing the objectives of the government and the minister in terms of promoting democracy? The question arose because, again, the situation is not the same today as it was in 1988.
NDP
Guy Caron NDP Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC
Was the basic issue that Rights and Democracy was not managing to adjust to the new geopolitical facts of life, in your view?
