Government Operations Committee on Nov. 24th, 2011

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON]

“Events, dear boy, events.”

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

“Events, dear boy, events.” You've read the same books.

Could you comment on the impact of events? We've talked about plans for balanced budgets by 2014-15. Is that possible or not? Obviously, we don't know how Europe and the U.S. are going to turn out. Can you comment on the impact of events like that and how we would adjust as time goes by?

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON]

Sure. As the finance minister has indicated, it has had an impact on revenues, there's no question about it. The economy has slowed down. The projection for next year is down to what I believe is still quite robust growth, in G-7 terms, of 2.1% growth. But that's down from the 2.9% GDP growth that was originally targeted by private sector economists.

There has been an impact of the eurozone crisis and the debt ceiling crisis in the United States. It's never good when you're describing events as crises, but that's the reality of the situation.

Having said that, Minister Flaherty indicated our government's position, which is that we will make changes to deal with these issues as they come due. That's what the fall economic statement did, but at the same time we still have as a goal the balancing of our budget within the 2014-15 timeline, if that is possible.

We will continue to make the decisions that will allow us to spend within our means. Canadians expect that because that helps us grow jobs in the private sector and keep a low tax jurisdiction.

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Thank you for that.

Through you, Mr. Chair, to the minister, there is a lot of talk about how we report on estimates—and it is a complicated issue, there's no question. Have we made or are we considering making any changes in how we report on estimates to make them more easily interpretable?

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON]

Michelle talked a little bit about that in response to Monsieur Boulerice. I would say we're in transition. I think some very positive changes have been made for this round. We will continue to make those changes.

As I continue to push for electronic information, that is to say, to get these things out of the paper world and into the electronic world, it will be a lot easier for members of Parliament to have access to the information through hyperlinks, to search and compare and contrast. All that is available in the electronic world, and I think it will make a big difference for all of us.

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

You mentioned Shared Services Canada and the work they're going to do to help consolidate delivery of services and so on. Can you comment on their role within the strategic and operating review? What are the expectations of them with respect to the strategic and operating review?

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON]

We are expecting they will be part of the deficit reduction action plan in the short term, because they will be able to generate savings as we consolidate. At the same time, they have a long-term transformational role as well.

Again, the goal is to make sure that citizens receive excellent services; that the morale of the public service can be improved; and that there's less confusion and duplication in the IT sense, from the 3,000 networks, and 100 different e-mail systems, and 300 different data centres. We believe this can be rationalized, which will increase efficiency and productivity in the public service and help us deliver better services to Canadians. That's the goal.

Part of it will be achieved in this budget cycle and the deficit reduction action plan cycle, but part of it is a longer-term objective as well.

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Along the same line, your TBS is requesting $5.6 million for the Red Tape Reduction Commission.

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON]

Right.

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Can you tell me how much we've spent so far, how much we think we will spend, and how much we think we will save?

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON]

We have spent $4.6 million thus far. We're on track in terms of getting the ideas out there for implementation, and then there's an implementation phase. I'm quite excited about that.

Minister Bernier has been working very hard on the small business aspect. I'm looking at it from a government-wide aspect as well, because some of these things impinge on small business, but they have broader impacts on our economy as well.

I'm looking forward to being accountable and responsible for those kinds of decisions as well.

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Thank you so much.

How is my time, Mr. Chair?

[The Chair, NDP, Pat Martin]

Thank you, Laurie. You're down to about 20 seconds.

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

You can have it back.

[The Chair, NDP, Pat Martin]

Okay. Very good.

That concludes the time we have set aside for the President of the Treasury Board to be with us.

We thank you for being here, Minister.

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, NDP, Pat Martin]

Let me just say in conclusion that as a committee we are committed to doing a more thorough examination of the estimates as an aspect of the work we do.

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON]

Excellent.

[The Chair, NDP, Pat Martin]

But let me also say I share the frustration expressed by both sides that there's probably only a handful of people in the country who can understand the estimates. Mike is one of them. Madame d'Auray is one of them, and I'm sure Mr. Matthews is another. But there's an awful lot of room for abuse when these are so incomprehensible to an ordinary Canadian.

I take it you share that to some extent.

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON]

I agree with your aspirations, Mr. Chair—well, some of your aspirations.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Chair, NDP, Pat Martin]

Good one.

Thank you for being here.

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, NDP, Pat Martin]

You're welcome any time.

I will suspend the meeting for a few minutes while the minister excuses himself.

[The Chair, NDP, Pat Martin]

Welcome back to the 18th meeting of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates reviewing the supplementary estimates (B).

We have with us Michelle d'Auray, Secretary of the Treasury Board; Mr. Bill Matthews, assistant secretary, expenditure management; Christine Walker, chief financial officer and assistant secretary; and Sally Thornton, executive director, expenditure operations and estimates. All of you have been witnesses and guests at our committee before. Welcome back to all of you.

I see you have circulated a document that you'd like to begin with. Do you have a presentation you want to give, or should we just continue with the questions?