Evidence of meeting #45 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 information.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Siobhan Coady Liberal St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL
A point of clarification or order.
I had asked about the pay direct card specifically to the minister and didn't get a response. I guess we ran out of time. I wonder if you could give information to this committee on that particular project.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
Minister, what I would suggest is that we will look at the blues--I think Madame Bourgeois had asked for something and Madam Hall Findlay had asked for something--and send you out a request for the information that is outstanding.
Madam Hall Findlay.
Liberal
Martha Hall Findlay Liberal Willowdale, ON
Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to make sure, though, that when we make the request we do have some timeframe associated with the receipt thereof.
Can I get a commitment from the folks here that there will be an appropriate timeframe? We do rise next week.
Liberal
Liberal
Martha Hall Findlay Liberal Willowdale, ON
If I may, the minister was referring to information that already exists, so it should be--
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
If it exists, if we could have it at the earliest, we will make that request.
Thank you.
I would like to thank the witnesses for being here. We will follow with the vote on all the items. If the minister wishes to stay, he can stay while we vote for it.
We will suspend for a minute.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
We will now resume with the votes.
CANADIAN HERITAGE
Public Service Commission
Vote 95b--Program expenditures..........$15,188
(Vote 95b agreed to on division)
GOVERNOR GENERAL
Vote 1b—Program expenditures..........$36,525
(Vote 1b agreed to on division)
PRIVY COUNCIL
Department
Vote 1b—Program expenditures..........$17,170,875
(Vote 1b agreed to on division)
PUBLIC WORKS AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES
Vote 1b—Operating expenditures..........$152,616,855
Vote 5b—Capital expenditures..........$15,438,934
Vote 7b—Government Telecommunications and Informatics Common Services Revolving Fund..........$1
Vote 7b is a $1 amount and it is just to give the authority.
(Votes 1b, 5b and 7b agreed to)
TREASURY BOARD
Secretariat
Vote 1b—Program expenditures.........$1
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
Again, this is the authority to utilize, so it's $1, not $713 million.
(Vote 1b agreed to)
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
It's a difference.
TREASURY BOARD
Secretariat
Vote 15b—Compensation Adjustments..........$713,291,362
(Vote 15b agreed to on division)
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
Shall the chair report the supplementary estimates (B) 2009-2010 to the House?
Liberal
December 3rd, 2009 / 4:35 p.m.
Liberal
Liberal
Martha Hall Findlay Liberal Willowdale, ON
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I would like to move the motion. Do committee members require me to read it out loud? Everyone has a copy of it.
Liberal
Martha Hall Findlay Liberal Willowdale, ON
I can explain it. There is already a bit of an explanation in the preamble. There are contribution agreements between the provinces and the municipalities under which the municipalities are required to provide a report about the jobs created by the Stimulus Fund every quarter. All the agreements are part of a broader agreement between the Government of Canada and the provinces.
I have a copy here. I can explain it further. Every three months, the municipalities must provide a report specifically about the number of jobs created. We ask for that information. The Government of Canada can receive that information. We request information about the jobs being created. We have not received anything up until now. That is why we are introducing this motion.
Conservative
Jacques Gourde Conservative Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, QC
Given the numerous questions raised by Ms. Findlay in her motion, and given that we will be hearing from the deputy minister, Mr. John Foster, later on, the deputy ministers may be able to respond to Ms. Hall Findlay's concerns.
If you have other questions lafter that, you could present your motion later. You may get all the information you need.
Liberal
Martha Hall Findlay Liberal Willowdale, ON
The problem is that they are coming here at 5:10 p.m. and will only be staying until 5:30 p.m. I do not know whether or not we will have enough time. In all honesty, I would prefer that we go ahead and vote on my motion first. If they provide us with information later on and this information turns out to be the information I am asking for in the motion, so much the better. Otherwise, I would prefer that we vote on my motion first.
Conservative
Jacques Gourde Conservative Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, QC
I would prefer to vote on the motion later, because it would be more appropriate.
Bloc
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
Personally, I have no objection to this motion, provided that it respects Quebec's jurisdiction.
In Quebec, unlike the rest of Canada, municipalities are the creatures of the Government of Quebec. Agreements are made between the Government of Quebec and its municipalities.
Ms. Hall Findlay, would you agree to an addition to the motion? We would add that this must be done in keeping with Quebec's jurisdiction.
I will vote in favour of this motion, providing that we specify that you are just curious that it must respect Quebec's jurisdiction.
Liberal
Martha Hall Findlay Liberal Willowdale, ON
Absolutely, Ms. Bourgeois, I just want to ensure that there is some equality...
Bloc
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
Ms. Findlay, it is not true that Quebec is equal to the rest of Canada.
