Evidence of meeting #43 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 secretariat.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
Garth Turner Conservative Halton, ON
All right. We spent this money, and we set up the secretariat. The secretariat's work has ceased, and the expenditures have been made. The secretariat is basically shut down, and no one else is going to be working. Why is that?
5:10 p.m.
former Executive Director, Public Appointments Commission Secretariat, Privy Council, As an Individual
Madame Chair, I do not know the answer to the question.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
Garth Turner Conservative Halton, ON
It's not a subjective question at all. Mechanically, why has the secretariat ceased to function? Why has it effectively been shut down? Why did it happen?
5:10 p.m.
former Executive Director, Public Appointments Commission Secretariat, Privy Council, As an Individual
Madame Chair, if I may, the secretariat has not been shut down. The secretariat exists.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
Garth Turner Conservative Halton, ON
It exists, but it has no employees, so it's not doing any work. Without employees, it doesn't do any work.
5:10 p.m.
former Executive Director, Public Appointments Commission Secretariat, Privy Council, As an Individual
If I may, Madame Chair, the few individuals are very dedicated individuals who were involved in the secretariat and have received other options in terms of their careers and career development.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
Garth Turner Conservative Halton, ON
Having received other options in terms of their careers means they don't work there. Is that right?
5:10 p.m.
former Executive Director, Public Appointments Commission Secretariat, Privy Council, As an Individual
That is correct.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
Garth Turner Conservative Halton, ON
Thank you.
If you don't work there, and nobody works there, the work has stopped. Why did the work stop? There must be some reason.
If we had to tell Canadians why they spent this money setting up the secretariat, but it's not doing anything today, then someone might ask why. What would you respond?
5:10 p.m.
former Executive Director, Public Appointments Commission Secretariat, Privy Council, As an Individual
The secretariat is in place. At the moment, employees have been asked to do other things.
In my case, I was approached by the Clerk of the Privy Council.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
Garth Turner Conservative Halton, ON
We've heard all that. What would be the answer to the question on why the secretariat is not now doing any work? Why does it not now have any employees?
March 27th, 2007 / 5:10 p.m.
former Executive Director, Public Appointments Commission Secretariat, Privy Council, As an Individual
If I may, Madame Chair, it's because individuals have moved to other positions.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
Garth Turner Conservative Halton, ON
Why has the work stopped? There must be some cause. Someone or something must be responsible for the secretariat not functioning. What would you answer to that question?
5:10 p.m.
former Executive Director, Public Appointments Commission Secretariat, Privy Council, As an Individual
Madame Chair, as I've indicated earlier, and I only know this from personal conversations, the process is under way to replace the executive director, namely myself. I assume she or he would proceed to complete the staffing of the people who have moved on.
I indicate again that the individuals in question, public servants of the Public Service of Canada, have had the opportunity to move on in their careers. I'm pleased to say they've found things.
5:15 p.m.
Conservative
5:15 p.m.
former Executive Director, Public Appointments Commission Secretariat, Privy Council, As an Individual
The individuals in the secretariat have moved on to other positions.
5:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau
Thank you very much, Mr. Turner.
Thank you very much, Mr. Harrison. I know this was difficult for you, and you came as an individual. Sometimes the questions were a little tough, and I think you handled yourself very well. Thank you very much.
I would like to remind the committee that next Thursday we are dealing with the human resources challenge for the federal government, and we will be hearing as witnesses representatives of the two public service unions.
Yes, Madame Nash.
5:15 p.m.
NDP
Peggy Nash NDP Parkdale—High Park, ON
Madame Chair, I also want to thank Mr. Harrison, because it was very difficult for him, since many of the questions we posed were in fact political questions. The reason for that is that we're trying to get at some of the political decisions that were made around this situation.
I just want to raise with the committee again that if it's possible to bring someone else here who can also talk with us about the political background, that might answer some of the unanswered questions we're left with.
5:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau
Thank you very much.
We'll see you on Thursday.
The meeting is adjourned.