Evidence of meeting #43 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 project.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Chief Operating Officer, Information Technology Services Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
Thank you.
Conservative
Ed Holder Conservative London West, ON
Madam Chair, I want to be exceptionally respectful to the chair.
I know that you've taken the position that if you feel there are questions that have not been asked, you would take it as your prerogative to ask those questions. I think we've gone through some of the dialogue on whether that's appropriate or not.
Could I ask if it might be possible to go through our rounds first, and then if those questions aren't answered, I'd certainly invite the chair to go through that? Is that reasonable?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
Thank you.
It's very reasonable. But the NDP member is missing, and that's why--
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
I'm not taking anybody else's time.
If you waste your time, you will not be able to get it. The standing order--
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
Standing Order 117.... I have to ask the questions. I'm going to ask.
I was expecting Monsieur Gourde to ask the training question because he was in that line of thinking, and he didn't, so that's why I posed the question. I am going to ask the question because it's my prerogative.
So I have another question on the training aspect. Do you have a training manual for IT--small and medium-sized enterprises?
Chief Operating Officer, Information Technology Services Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
Again, this is a question I would like to answer in writing for you.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
Fair enough, okay. Thank you.
I will now go to the second round of questions.
Madame Foote, for five minutes.
Liberal
Judy Foote Liberal Random—Burin—St. George's, NL
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I find this whole line of questioning around the GENS--
Conservative
Rob Anders Conservative Calgary West, AB
Madam Chair, we've had a brief discussion with some committee members. We were particularly unimpressed with the take by your chair on what your prerogative is with regard to questions.
I've served as a committee chair myself. I think we're going to ask for a question to challenge the chair.
I don't understand why you wouldn't be gracious enough to allow the committee members their right to ask questions before you and when they're done with their questions, it would be at your discretion to ask yours. Frankly, it just doesn't seem gracious, given your position, Madam Chair.
Conservative
Rob Anders Conservative Calgary West, AB
I'm saying there's a better way for you to go about conducting your business as chair.
Conservative
Rob Anders Conservative Calgary West, AB
Do you want to take a vote on that to determine if you should allow the committee members to ask their questions before you have your--
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
I'm standing by Standing Order 117, which says that I can ask the question, and I took the right to ask the question because--
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
You can't overrule my interpretation. It's a standing order. Go look it up. I am sorry, if you do not know your Standing Orders, I can't help you there, and that's it.
I'm going to continue on with Madame Judy Foote for five minutes.
Thank you.
Liberal
Judy Foote Liberal Random—Burin—St. George's, NL
Thank you again, Madam Chair.
I just want to delve a little more into GENS--just looking at the whole outline here with respect to designing the RFP, choosing the contractor, and then selecting the departments.
Can you or Mr. Rath-Wilson just take me through that process in terms of how you are designing the request for proposals? What is the contractor expected to do if we engage the department at the end of the process?