Evidence of meeting #82 for Finance in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was tfsa.
A recording is available from Parliament.
11:40 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
Thank you.
In the one minute remaining, can you again explain the $900 million? I have been approached on it, as other members have, so perhaps you could just explain what the actual $900 million in the budget is.
Ms. Kolk.
11:45 a.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Pensions and Benefits Sector, Treasury Board Secretariat
Yes.
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
When you say that it's a subset of a contingency.... When I say that to people, they sort of look at me and say, “What do you mean?”
11:45 a.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Pensions and Benefits Sector, Treasury Board Secretariat
It is complex. It is about accrual accounting and contingent liability.
The $900 million booked in the budget is a subset of the contingent liability associated with banked sick days that have accumulated over decades under the existing regime. The current total number, I'm told, stands at $14.7 million. This savings target is a commitment to taxpayers that government takes seriously—
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
These are sick days that have not been used, that the government has to account for in an accrual system—that they may be taken—and it has to be.
11:45 a.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Pensions and Benefits Sector, Treasury Board Secretariat
Should the government eliminate those banked sick days, this would equate to the savings.
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
11:45 a.m.
Liberal
Emmanuel Dubourg Liberal Bourassa, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I will be very brief.
Ms. Champagne, in terms of sick leave, I would like to know whether a legal opinion was presented with regard to the constitutionality of the proposed measures.
11:45 a.m.
Counsel, Treasury Board Secretariat
Yes. Various legal opinions were provided.
11:45 a.m.
Liberal
Emmanuel Dubourg Liberal Bourassa, QC
Okay.
Can these opinions be made public so that they are available for—
11:45 a.m.
Counsel, Treasury Board Secretariat
As you will understand, the Department of Justice is subject to lawyer-client privilege. Unfortunately, the opinions are not made public.
11:45 a.m.
Liberal
Emmanuel Dubourg Liberal Bourassa, QC
Okay.
But you must surely be aware that previous governments have shared information they obtained.
11:45 a.m.
Counsel, Treasury Board Secretariat
I expect you'll understand that the decision is not mine.
11:45 a.m.
Liberal
Emmanuel Dubourg Liberal Bourassa, QC
I understand.
Mr. Chair, I would like to ask a brief question about the long-gun registry.
Mr. Potter, this is a topic we've heard a lot about. Much has been written about it. My question is perhaps more of a moral one. You may say that I am on the wrong track, but in your position, don't you sometimes advise the government or provide your personal opinion on a given situation? In this case, did you consider making a recommendation to the government about destroying data, even though my colleague, Mr. Saxton, said that measures in this regard had been passed in the House?
11:45 a.m.
Director General, Policing Policy Directorate, Law Enforcement and Policing Branch, Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Thank you.
Generally speaking, our role is to advise the government.
That advice is confidential. It is a typical part of our role to provide that frank and honest advice to the minister, and we do that in confidence. In terms of this bill, I would say, as I stated earlier, there is, in my view, a clear, logical consistency between the original intention of the Ending the Long-gun Registry Act and these amendments.
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
On behalf of the committee, I want to thank you for participating in this session today. We will see you again at clause-by-clause, I'm sure.
Colleagues, I appreciate that.
The meeting is adjourned.