Evidence of meeting #21 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 40th Parliament, 3rd session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was point.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
Okay.
Ministers, can you now take back your seats? We can proceed....
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
No. I asked, “Can they be questioned?”, and then the ruling was, “Is the chair challenged?”, because Mr. Brown has withdrawn his challenge.
So let's take a vote....
Are you challenging my ruling, Monsieur Guimond?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
Okay: no challenge.
Mr. Maley, you have an opening statement, and Mr. Morin, you have an opening statement. Please keep it brief; we said two minutes.
Doug Maley Assistant Deputy Minister, Alberta Region, Western Economic Diversification
Thank you, Madam Chair.
As assistant deputy minister for Western Economic Diversification Canada in the Alberta region, I support our department's mandate in developing and diversifying the western Canadian economy.
Our department delivers programs that improve innovation, business development, and community economic development throughout the four western provinces. This includes initiatives that are delivered directly by Western Diversification as well as the western portion of a number of national programs and initiatives.
WD uses grants and contribution programs and funding is provided to not-for-profit organizations such as industry associations, economic development organizations, research institutes, or universities.
WD doesn't normally provide funding to businesses.
The department designs, delivers, monitors, and evaluates projects in a way that is consistent with best practices and that meets the federal due diligence standards.
Project proposals may be received at various levels in our department. Regardless of how an application is received, the due diligence process remains the same. Some steps include ensuring the proposal meets program criteria, reviewing the financial market and economic viability of the project, and confirming funding from other stakeholders and partners.
Other steps in the due diligence process are related to specific federal obligations—for example, completion of appropriate consultative processes, including with the first nations, and ensuring that projects meet regulatory and environmental requirements. This due diligence process must be completed before federal funding can be provided to any project.
At times it may be determined upon preliminary review of an application that the project did not meet the programming criteria. In these cases, a project may be declined immediately, and options to more appropriate sources of funding may be provided to the applicant.
I was contacted by Mr. Jaffer concerning a proposal for a project supporting a technology development plan and testing. The project was reviewed by departmental officials and me, and determined to fall outside WD's program criteria, as the primary benefactors were for-profit companies. No funding was provided.
To conclude, WD ensures that the investment of federal funds is supported by a strong and feasible business case and that funding is delivered within a framework that ensures appropriate stewardship and accountability for public funds.
Merci.
André Morin Director, Valuation and Payments in lieu of taxes (PILT) Programs, Department of Public Works and Government Services
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you for this opportunity to appear before you.
I am currently a director with the Valuation and Payments in Lieu of Taxes Program within the Real Property Branch of Public Works and Government Services Canada.
I have been a public servant for about 10 years. I worked from 1986 to 1999 as a real estate expert/consultant and appraiser in the private sector. I am certified by the Ordre des évaluateurs agréés du Québec and I have been a member of that organization since 1989. Also, since 1992, I hold the AACI designation, which stands for real estate accredited appraiser from the Appraisal Institute of Canada.
For a period of 16 months, from January 2009 to April 2010, I accepted an assignment in the office of the deputy minister as a strategic adviser. In the position of strategic adviser, I was reporting directly to the chief of staff, and some of my duties were, for example, the coordination of information, briefing materials, and written reports. Also, I was reviewing, evaluating, and analyzing certain files, giving advice and support to senior executives if necessary.
One of my numerous duties was to serve as the liaison between mainly real property branch, the deputy minister's office, and the office of the Minister of Public Works and Government Services. I was representing the deputy minister's office to the minister's office, and I had to describe the priorities and requests of the minister's office on different files so that PWGSC staff could provide appropriate and timely responses. In this job, therefore, I regularly communicated with staff in the minister's office. This was part of my normal duties.
When requests are received for a meeting, we follow a normal process to seek advice and prepare for meetings. Part of my responsibilities while I was working in the deputy minister's office was to facilitate the response to invitations to meet and prepare for meetings if requested.
The values of the Department of Public Works and Government Services are respect, integrity, excellence, and leadership. I have always worked to uphold these values in my years of public service.
This concludes my opening statement. I will be happy to answer all your questions.
Thank you.
Gary Goodyear ConservativeMinister of State (Science and Technology) (Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario)
Am I allowed an opening statement?
Conservative
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
I never did say that you were witnesses. What I said was that if committee members wished to question you--
Conservative
Patrick Brown Conservative Barrie, ON
On a point of order, Madam Chair, obviously we misrepresented...what your ruling was. Your ruling was that we have them and we hear from them. Now, to hear from them without giving them the opportunity to speak is a little bit difficult.
In that context, I'd like to remind you that on page 139 of Justice John Gomery's report, he said, “Ministers need to understand clearly that they are accountable, responsible and answerable for all the actions of their exempt staff.” And that's what they're doing here today.
