Evidence of meeting #1 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A recording is available from Parliament.
3:40 p.m.
Conservative
James Moore Conservative Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, BC
I would think they have information they're prepared to give.
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau
That's very good. Are there any other suggestions?
Go ahead, Mr. Angus.
3:40 p.m.
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
One of the things I'd like to look at is that we have had the sale of nine federal buildings, and a number of others are on the list--oh, it was seven. It was seven, of course; we had to pull two of them at the last minute.
I think it would be incumbent upon us to look at the overall plan for the rest of them.
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
3:40 p.m.
Conservative
Harold Albrecht Conservative Kitchener—Conestoga, ON
I think it's important that we continue to look at the issues of small and medium-sized enterprises with the new regional offices that have been opened up and see how those are progressing, and there is also the whole issue of greening government. Those are issues we looked at last time, and I think it would be good to have an update.
I don't want to disappoint Mr. Kramp in neglecting accrual accounting as a further study--
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau
Well, you won't disappoint Mr. Kramp, because I will tell you that Mr. Kramp and I and a few others were called in on an ad hoc committee to look at proposals for accrual accounting. My understanding is that two new meetings are scheduled with the ad hoc committee. I think it's Monday of next week; I forget the exact dates. I was just advised of that.
It might be a good idea at some point to bring it back here, but right now it's at the ad hoc committee, and they're jut showing us some of their suggestions at this point. We can discuss that as well.
3:40 p.m.
Conservative
Harold Albrecht Conservative Kitchener—Conestoga, ON
I do think, Madam Chair, that the key issue is considering the small and medium enterprises, the medium-sized businesses. We all want to encourage economic development, and I think those are some of the key moving factors in that.
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau
Absolutely.
We have a list now. We've got the report from Maria Barrados. She'll be coming Monday. The clerk will find out, but my understanding is that she's quite ready and prepared to come to our next meeting, on Monday at 3:30 p.m.
From there perhaps we can follow through. We will also have to be looking at the supplementary estimates for Treasury Board as well as Public Works and Government Services. That's part of our core function.
I would like us to continue on the sale of buildings as well, and on the payroll. I think we need updating on the payroll issue. We need to know how much progress has been made and whether there's still a serious problem.
3:40 p.m.
Conservative
Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB
Madam Chair, I just wanted to get clarification in terms of accrual accounting. When would you expect that matter would move out of the ad hoc committee and move back so that the full committee might be able to take a look at what was being proposed?
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau
I think I'll have a discussion with Daryl. I think there's a meeting Monday at noon. I'm going to talk to him. I'm thinking that we should bring it back to this committee. Perhaps they should come and make a presentation. We'll see what happens with what they have for us on Monday.
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau
It's Greek to a lot of people. It's not exactly the hottest topic on the Hill. For people like me, I love it, but not everybody thinks it's so great.
That being said, are there any other topics for discussion?
Then we'll adjourn the meeting. We'll see you next Monday at 3:30 p.m., when we receive Madame Barrados.