Evidence of meeting #36 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was buildings.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:20 p.m.
Minister of Public Works and Government Services
Two firms won. Both are Canadian banks with a real property subsidiary: the Bank of Montreal and the Royal Bank, but the subsidiary has the most expertise in real property advice.
5:20 p.m.
Liberal
Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC
So, two banks are currently advising you on these buildings. If you decide to sell them, could those banks take part in these transactions?
5:20 p.m.
Minister of Public Works and Government Services
If we decide to sell them, obviously, they would be in a conflict of interest and could not purchase these buildings.
5:20 p.m.
Liberal
Borys Wrzesnewskyj Liberal Etobicoke Centre, ON
Mr. Minister, when I asked previously about the $1 billion subcontractors' service contract, you answered that 30% is to be spent in Quebec. Do you think that's an adequate proportion? There have been reports that you feel that perhaps 50% would be a more equitable distribution.
5:20 p.m.
Minister of Public Works and Government Services
As I said earlier, with respect to any of these regional benefits, my position and the position of the government has been that we're going to let the manufacturers deal with their Canadian suppliers. They are numerous around the country, and we're quite optimistic that at the end of this exercise—as you probably know, it's going to take several years... This is the first chapter of many chapters, Mr. Wrzesnewskyj, and I know that you'll be very satisfied with the end result once the last chapter is written.
5:20 p.m.
Liberal
Borys Wrzesnewskyj Liberal Etobicoke Centre, ON
Mr. Fortier, will I be satisfied, will Quebeckers be satisfied, or will all Canadians be satisfied? You seem to have hinted that it may be divvied up in a certain manner. Is that not the case?
5:20 p.m.
Minister of Public Works and Government Services
I don't know how I could have hinted at that, because I never hinted at that. We're going to let the manufacturers deal with their supply chain here in Canada. Contrary to what took place in prior years, these moneys are going to be invested in Canada in the aerospace and defence industry.
5:20 p.m.
Liberal
Borys Wrzesnewskyj Liberal Etobicoke Centre, ON
Minister, Republik Publicité & Design has created the Conservative attack ads that are airing at this time. Has this firm, any of its principles, or any agencies that the principles are involved in received any government advertising or contracts directly or indirectly during the past year?
5:20 p.m.
Minister of Public Works and Government Services
Some of your colleagues in the Senate asked me the question yesterday. I undertook to find out, so I'll undertake—
5:20 p.m.
Liberal
5:20 p.m.
Minister of Public Works and Government Services
No, I have not been able to find out.
5:20 p.m.
Liberal
5:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau
Thank you, Mr. Wrzesnewskyj.
I'm going to take the prerogative of the chair here. I have a couple of things that haven't been touched on.
First, a number of years ago there was a major plan to renovate some of the buildings here on Parliament Hill. At one time, the West Block was scheduled to be emptied and totally renovated, but the decision was made to do the Library of Parliament, which is open to the public once more, of course. I'm wondering where that plan is. Are you going to continue on that plan. What's happening to that?
5:20 p.m.
Minister of Public Works and Government Services
As you know because you held this chair, the plan has had many offspring since it first was launched many years ago. I think it has been twenty years, and it could be even more.
We are still looking after buildings in the parliamentary precinct. There's some work being done around here, as you can see with the scaffolding, so we are committed to upgrading the buildings and fixing them so that we can, among other things, clear those buildings of asbestos. We're committed to that, and as I said, work is taking place as we speak. So we're committed to continuing those efforts.
5:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau
Thank you.
I'm going to leave on one note. I'm appalled that you haven't solved the payroll problem yet. I've heard from people who haven't been paid for two months. These are term employees who don't make very much money.
I would plead with you. For God's sake, you're the Government of Canada. Pay your employees on time, especially those who are just starting off on a job. Can you imagine going over Christmas and expecting a paycheque, but not getting it because the payroll systems aren't in place, when you've been working for a month? I just think that's unacceptable and would ask you, would plead with you, that if that's the next thing you do, please get it done immediately.
Thank you. We'll adjourn.