It says:
As per his Ministerial responsibilities, the President of the Treasury Board appeared with the Secretary and the Assistant Secretary, Expenditure Management Sector, at the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates on Oct. 17, 2006 to answer questions on spending restraint. Committee Members had 2 hours to ask questions and the President of the Treasury Board and TBS officials believe they have fully answered questions on this matter. Therefore, TBS declines the invitation as they have already appeared.
Public Works replied:
The Minister and Officials will be appearing before the committee in November 2006. The Minister will be pleased to respond to questions with respect to the Expenditure Review Exercise at that time.