Evidence of meeting #20 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was dates.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Derek Lee
That would conclude our business.
Thank you, colleagues.
Thank you, witnesses.
At this point on the bill, the witnesses may withdraw and the committee will continue with other business.
Colleagues, this is a good time to address future business. Ms. Hall Findlay is about to be wheeled out of here--
NDP
Pat Martin NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
I would like to add a matter for consideration for future business. I don't know if we have the attention of the committee at the moment, but I would like us to entertain the idea.
In our thinking, nothing offends the sensibilities, maybe second only to--
Liberal
NDP
Pat Martin NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
Second only to out-and-out corruption, nothing offends the sensibilities of Canadians more than patronage: the impression that there's still the “who you know” style of politics in Canada and that appointments are made based on something other than merit. Therefore, I think we're overdue to revisit the Public Appointments Commission, which we've recently learned isn't dormant. It's up and running and being funded, although they have nothing to do. People go to work at the Public Appointments Commission every morning and stare at the walls, I suppose, and wait for something to happen.
Notwithstanding the million or so dollars a year that's funding a commission that's doing nothing, I think we should be revisiting the whole notion. Being the oversight committee that deals with public appointments, I think it's our duty to study and comment on the creation of the Public Appointments Commission and urge the government to have a study of it and then a report. I think we'll probably conclude that we would urge the government to get busy.
If I could, then, I'll leave that as an item for consideration for future business: a study of the Public Appointments Commission.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Derek Lee
I'll ask our researcher this: do we have in front of us estimates from the Public Appointments Commission?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Derek Lee
All right. Yes, even though the train has not left the station, they have provided for some spending in this fiscal year. We might wish to look at that issue as an estimates procedure rather than embarking on a sidebar study. If that's okay, I'll ask research to do a bit of a workup and see where we can build that in before we break for the summer.
Now, I want to hunker down here and take a look at our calendar so members will know what's coming down the pipeline. Maybe the clerk can speak to it, because this is a bit of a moving target, and everyone is operating in good faith here with the valuable assistance of Mr. Warkentin.
I just wanted to say to Mr. Martin that, on occasion, Mr. Warkentin's efforts have speeded up the reply communication from some of the government ministers, and it's been helpful to the clerk, but he is absolutely not trying to control the witness agenda here.
NDP
Pat Martin NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
I might just say that it's worth all of us taking note of the point that when we walk through that door as part of this committee, we leave some of our baggage at the door.
We do have parliamentary secretaries on the committee who are, in a way, representing cabinet, but there's no way that any of us should be negotiating or speaking on behalf of the government when we're at this committee. That's the beauty of committees. We're at arm's length. We're stand-alone.
It isn't your job, Chris, to rush to the defence of the government at every opportunity. I'd also be interested in hearing from some of your other four colleagues from time to time. You seem to be the spokesman for the Conservative Party.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Derek Lee
Okay. We have a well-functioning committee and a great clerk. Now I want to hear from the clerk about our future agenda.
The Clerk of the Committee Mr. Michel Marcotte
I'm sorry, the agenda before you was printed at 10:32 this morning and there have been three changes already, and it's still a moving target. Follow me, please.
On Tuesday, May 12, we have confirmation that the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner, la commissaire à l'intégrité du secteur public , Madame Ouimet, will be here.
On the Wednesday I remind you there's an unofficial meeting with the parliamentary delegation from Pakistan. You all have the invitation.
On Thursday, May 14, I'm trying to have a stimulus package and supplementary estimates (A), considering they might be tabled in the House at 10 o'clock or 10:05. Since our meeting is at 11 o'clock, we could go ahead and study these. Why has it moved so quickly? It's because we received confirmation from Mr. Vic Toews that he will be here for his main estimates on Tuesday, May 26.
Last, on Thursday, May 28, Minister Christian Paradis will be here for his main estimates on Public Works.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Derek Lee
Okay, that's not too bad. We have ministers ready, able, and willing to appear.
I want to make reference to Ms. Hall Findlay's motion, which was not adopted, and I don't recall the specifics or particulars of it, but it urged a focus on the stimulus package in these upcoming meetings. If these supplementary estimates are introduced into the House at routine proceedings on Thursday, May 14, that will allow us to look at them. In fact, as we were advised by witnesses earlier, those supplementary estimates will contain what we've sometimes called listings or lists here, or something equivalent to that, of projects and program enhancements that may in part relate to vote 35, $3 billion, and additional types of spending.
I think there will be a lot of information in those supplementary estimates that will feed the curiosity and the public interest objectives of members around the table. That being the case, that meeting on May 14 could be very important. If there were to be any hiccups, any game-playing in the House--you never know, this is politics--this would handicap us significantly in the event that those matters were not tabled at routine proceedings. That might impair our meeting.
I'm going to ask the clerk, if those supplementary estimates are tabled, who should we have here before the committee at a minimum to answer questions on it?
The Clerk
Since we're having President Vic Toews on May 26, they will probably say he's busy. We might try for the secretary, Mr. Wouters, or other officials from Treasury Board. We've had numerous officials before, but never the hierarchy. That might be an option.
Another minister might come and talk about the package.
Liberal
Liberal
Dan McTeague Liberal Pickering—Scarborough East, ON
I'm led to understand Mr. Wouters was just appointed.
Liberal
Dan McTeague Liberal Pickering—Scarborough East, ON
Okay, from that point. So that will not interfere with this. Thank you.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Derek Lee
It shouldn't, but you never know. Maybe he has to go to Clerk of the Privy Council school or something.
Mr. Martin.
NDP
Pat Martin NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
I'd be interested in hearing Minister Baird. I think he would be the most useful of the ministers if we're going to talk about the stimulus package, because he is actively negotiating deals right across the country. I think the most current report on stimulus would come from his office, as the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Derek Lee
Yes, I think we all accept that the biggest job multiplier out there is construction projects associated with infrastructure improvements and investments, but it's not the only piece of the stimulus package.
NDP
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Derek Lee
Let's focus on Mr. Baird's ministry. He might have a very viable parliamentary secretary who might love to join us for the event. I don't know. Is that okay? Can we...?
Are members prepared now to warmly welcome Mr. Baird on that day?
