Evidence of meeting #6 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 contracts.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Derek Lee
No, there is no deadline that we cannot meet using the current agenda.
Mr. Warkentin.
Conservative
Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB
Thank you.
As a committee, I think we want to get to the main estimates, because I think we understand that out of that we're going to find a significant portion of the stimulus package included. I would suggest that maybe we don't move it to Tuesday if there's not the constraint, but that we back-end the meeting. We can start with the main estimates and then move to the stimulus package, but maybe have overflow from the previous meeting for the secondary meeting.
So really, it's a consideration for two meetings of the main estimates, with some leeway to broach other things that are not within the main estimates as they pertain to the stimulus package. Is everyone amicable on that?
February 26th, 2009 / 12:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Derek Lee
That is what our agenda is now. The only issue is when we start on the estimates: do we start this coming Tuesday or do we start next Thursday?
Conservative
Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB
Thursday is fine by me, as long as we're not under any time constraint, but I think you've indicated that's not the case.
Liberal
Martha Hall Findlay Liberal Willowdale, ON
Are you saying we're going to start Thursday, and continue with this discussion on Tuesday?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Derek Lee
That's the current lineup.
Mr. Warkentin says he's content to start the main estimates next Thursday.
Liberal
Martha Hall Findlay Liberal Willowdale, ON
I actually would suggest that this is rather unusual, and there will be a lot of scrutiny on the change of process and the fact that we do have the main estimates to deal with. I would concur with my colleague in suggesting that, as important as this issue is, it does not have the time constraint that the main estimates have. I would strongly encourage us to start the main estimates on Tuesday.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Derek Lee
Okay. The chair would observe that there's nothing unusual about main estimates. Secondly, there isn't a time constraint that I'm aware of.
The Clerk
If the House changes the rule in the Standing Orders.... The Standing Orders state May 31, but that--
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Derek Lee
May 31. So there is not a time constraint that I'm aware of or that the clerk is aware of. Maybe some sidebar chatting might get us....
Mr. Martin.
NDP
Pat Martin NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
If I could just add to this, I think there is an urgency just because of the almost unprecedented thing that we're being asked to do in the main estimates. We're being asked for a separate vote under vote 5, which would give the government what we're calling a $3 billion slush fund. Rather than asking for interim supply of three-twelfths, they're asking for interim supply of eleven-twelfths of $3 billion, $2.75 billion, with virtually a blank cheque to spend it as they please.
We'd be giving parliamentary approval, in an almost unprecedented way, for a body of spending that is unprecedented, really. We're being asked to buy a pig in a poke. It falls on this committee to scrutinize this almost unprecedented move.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Derek Lee
I'm going to need a consensus on two things: one, to stand down the current study of procurement moved by Madame Bourgeois; and two, to get a main estimates meeting scheduled for Tuesday, which is very quick. And we have no indication yet that the minister or other officials would be available for Tuesday. This is last-minute scheduling.
If members want us to try to do this for Tuesday, I could take it that way. But I need to have a consensus that we're going to defer continuation of the procurement study.
Madame Bourgeois.
Bloc
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I obviously want to get to the bottom of the issue of contracts and procurement with PWGSC, particularly as we voted on the issue last June. We could at least show some consistency, some cohesion and not lie to the people who came to see us and who are in this room.
Furthermore, I would point out to you that the purpose of a stimulus package is to get the economy going, to get people back to work and therefore to create economic spinoffs.
I will speak to you again another time, Mr. Chairman. It is not important, it is only the Bloc Québécois.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Derek Lee
Madame Bourgeois, I'm going to just pre-empt what you're saying.
I've been advised that it would not be possible to lead with the main estimates on Tuesday. Simply, it's the inability of people to attend.
Since we have a meeting scheduled for Tuesday, let's continue. We'll have lots of time to prepare for the main estimates on Thursday.
Now, Madame Bourgeois, a quick wrap-up. There are people waiting to take the room.
Bloc
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
I will be quick. I simply wanted to emphasize to you that we are right to be studying the stimulus plan. It is extremely important. On the other hand, the purpose of it in the end is to get people back to work. Businesses will no longer be able to offer work because the major contracts will have been offered to others. We have to be consistent. I urge you to plan for some extra time so that we can clear up this problem, which represents $80 billion.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Derek Lee
Well, I take it you agree with the chair.
Thank you for your support, colleagues.
We're adjourned until our next meeting.