Good morning, Mr. Chairman.
I am pleased to meet with the members of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates. I am accompanied by Mr. Bill Pentney, Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet, Plans and Consultations. My introductory comments pertain to the 2010-11 supplementary estimates (C) for the Privy Council Office, PCO, and, as we have three distinct items totalling $1.9 million, I will speak to each of these.
The first request in the amount of $1.6 million is for the panel of arbiters created to review documents related to the transfer of Afghan detainees by the Canadian Forces, pursuant to the House order of December 10, 2009 and the subsequent memorandum of understanding between the government and two opposition parties, dated June 15, 2010. The panel, composed of three eminent jurists, the Honourable Frank Iacobucci, the Honourable Claire L'Heureux-Dubé and the Honourable Donald I. Brenner, was created to review privileges asserted by the Crown with regard to the documents identified for disclosure under the House order. The panel is supported in its work by counsel from the law firm Torys LLP. They are providing essential research assistance to facilitate the panel's review. The funding requested is for the remuneration of the panel members, including disbursements, as well as professional fees and disbursements for counsel from Torys LLP.
The second request, in the amount of $0.8 million, is for the office of the special adviser on human smuggling and illegal migration. This office was created to coordinate the government's strategy and response to migrant smuggling by sea, particularly through engagement with key domestic and international partners, as well as with governments in source, transit, and destination countries. Key domestic partners, which will assist the special adviser to coordinate Canada's strategy, include the Canada Border Services Agency, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, the office of the Communications Security Establishment commissioner, Public Safety Canada, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
The funding request for the office of the special adviser is for the salaries of the special adviser himself and for the services of three full-time staff. The special adviser is also being supported by employees seconded from various departments, whose salaries are paid by the home department or agency. Funding requested is also for travel. In order to advance Canada's strategy to combat human smuggling, the special adviser will need to work with a wide array of international partners and engage in international and regional fora. Funding is also requested for incremental costs for corporate services support and translation.
The third item is a budget reduction of $0.5 million for cost-containment measures identified in the day-to-day operations of the Prime Minister's Office for 2010-11. The PMO is committed to leading by example and has cut its budget by approximately 5%, or $480,000, for 2010-11.
PMO achieved this budget reduction as follows. First, there was an office reorganization. Staff positions were realigned to better fit with organizational needs and a new office structure. Some positions were eliminated entirely; other efficiencies were found within specific jobs. Second, at the beginning of the fiscal year, each division within PMO was allocated a reduced budget, both for operating and salary expenses, and requested to find ways to live within that budget. Cost containment was therefore an office-wide exercise. Third, cost-containment measures on the operating side included reduced staff by up to 50% on many tour advance trips; increased usage of flight passes; and increased level of scrutiny and assessment of the most cost-effective options for expenditures.
In closing, I would like to thank you for giving me this time to inform you of the ongoing initiatives in the 2010-11 supplementary estimates (C). We would be pleased to respond to your questions.