Government Operations Committee on May 7th, 2012

[Denis Blanchette, NDP, Louis-Hébert, QC]

The Minister of the Environment appeared before the committee for the first time this winter.

[Mike Wallace, Conservative, Burlington, ON]

For estimates? They wouldn't come on estimates?

[Denis Blanchette, NDP, Louis-Hébert, QC]

He did not come the first two times, so we had to consider supplementary estimates (B) and (C) at the same time this spring.

So this has already happened.

[The Chair, NDP, Pat Martin]

Anyway, we do have this logistical problem.

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Have we had any ministers?

[Mike Wallace, Conservative, Burlington, ON]

We had PCO, which reports to us, and the Prime Minister is not going to show up. Treasury Board has been in front of us.

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

We had Mr. Clement?

[The Chair, NDP, Pat Martin]

Clement and Public Works.

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

The rest are not.... For Heritage, for example, the minister is not coming—

[Mike Wallace, Conservative, Burlington, ON]

But that's not our....That's exactly what I'm saying—

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

All I'm suggesting is they may feel more flexible, given that it's not the minister's schedule. That's all.

[The Chair, NDP, Pat Martin]

Well, that was the first—

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

We could potentially reverse them.

[The Chair, NDP, Pat Martin]

That was the first recommendation, that we have HRSDC come on the 28th and Heritage come on the 30th. Then we have no conflict. Except we would lose one individual, as the deputy minister of Heritage won't come if that's the case.

Or, we can just pick another department altogether and say.... But HRSDC is obviously a very interesting—

[Mike Wallace, Conservative, Burlington, ON]

Well, if you guys put that one forward.... Can we think about it until the next meeting?

[The Chair, NDP, Pat Martin]

Well, the clerk has to.... Well, the 30th is quite a ways away isn't it, and that gives you the month—

[Mike Wallace, Conservative, Burlington, ON]

A few days. It's after the break.

[The Chair, NDP, Pat Martin]

All right, let's consider—

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Health? Have we had Health?

[Mike Wallace, Conservative, Burlington, ON]

We haven't had Aglukkaq, but maybe not?

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Health would be very interesting.

[The Chair, NDP, Pat Martin]

We haven't had Health, no.

[Mike Wallace, Conservative, Burlington, ON]

Why don't we put it on the agenda for the next meeting and then think about it. You guys talk about it; we'll talk about it.

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

It needs advance notice.

[Mike Wallace, Conservative, Burlington, ON]

It's not till the 30th.