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.