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.
former Executive Director, Public Appointments Commission Secretariat, Privy Council, As an Individual
That was early in the mandate that we had. And if you'll allow me two seconds, Madam Chair, that was May 18 and 19 and 21 in the United Kingdom. We met with the Commissioner for Public Appointments, Janet Gaymer; Janet Paraskeva, the First Civil Service Commissioner; and Baroness Usha Prashar.
Conservative
Garth Turner Conservative Halton, ON
When was the plug pulled on your daily operations following the Prime Minister's withdrawal of Mr. Morgan's appointment? What date was that? Do you recall?
former Executive Director, Public Appointments Commission Secretariat, Privy Council, As an Individual
I don't recall that date, but it was--
former Executive Director, Public Appointments Commission Secretariat, Privy Council, As an Individual
I do believe it was in May.
former Executive Director, Public Appointments Commission Secretariat, Privy Council, As an Individual
That was before the trip, Madam Chair.
Conservative
Garth Turner Conservative Halton, ON
So the Prime Minister withdrew Mr. Gwyn Morgan and didn't offer a replacement, so your work effectively stopped?
former Executive Director, Public Appointments Commission Secretariat, Privy Council, As an Individual
Madam Chair, the secretariat's work did not stop. It was indicated to me through the Privy Council Office that we would continue to develop the approach to support an eventual commission. The work did not stop.
Conservative
Garth Turner Conservative Halton, ON
All right. But basically, as I understand it, it's like the people of Canada spent $547,000 for nothing? Is there anything we can point to?
former Executive Director, Public Appointments Commission Secretariat, Privy Council, As an Individual
Madam Chair, the view that it is for nothing is not the view that I would share.
former Executive Director, Public Appointments Commission Secretariat, Privy Council, As an Individual
First of all, we were asked to be in place, and I think it's entirely appropriate to pay people. The bulk of this was salaries.
Second, we did an extensive consultation with heads of agencies, crown corporations, first of all to find out from them what the current practice is, and secondly, to seek guidance on the eventual development of a code of practice, which is mentioned in the appropriate legislation.
Conservative
Garth Turner Conservative Halton, ON
Okay. But my point is because the Prime Minister had his nose out of joint because Mr. Gwyn Morgan didn't get his appointment or wasn't approved--and I guess Mrs. Nash can fill us in a little more on that--basically he said he was going to take his marbles and go home. So the secretariat was left sitting there, for which salaries continued to click, and in fact there's money still being spent. Is this a characterization that makes sense?
former Executive Director, Public Appointments Commission Secretariat, Privy Council, As an Individual
Madam Chair, the secretariat remained in place and we undertook through discussions with the Privy Council to continue to develop the support for an eventual commission.
Conservative
Garth Turner Conservative Halton, ON
Okay. But the commission today is doing nothing. Is that correct?
former Executive Director, Public Appointments Commission Secretariat, Privy Council, As an Individual
There are no commissioners today.
Conservative
Garth Turner Conservative Halton, ON
Okay. So we have a secretariat that's doing nothing at the moment?
former Executive Director, Public Appointments Commission Secretariat, Privy Council, As an Individual
The secretariat is at the moment comprised of one individual, who will be moving to another appointment on Monday.
Conservative
Garth Turner Conservative Halton, ON
Okay. So that's my point, $547,000 later there's nothing there?
former Executive Director, Public Appointments Commission Secretariat, Privy Council, As an Individual
We have a report.
Conservative
Liberal
Louise Thibault Bloc Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you for coming here, Mr. Harrison. Knowing you the way I do, I'm not surprised that you have come to appear as an individual despite the fact that you are no longer in this position.
In January, you provided the government with an opinion as part of a report. Can we know exactly what came out of it? Further to the consultations you held with the directors of agencies, you and the other three individuals—which it must be said is a small group given your mandate—were you able to develop tools enabling you to carry out your mandate? Did it enable you to comply with the requests for the Immigration and Refugee Board?
