I did.
Evidence of meeting #58 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was census.
A video is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #58 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was census.
A video is available from Parliament.
4:25 p.m.
Conservative
Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB
From memory, can you tell us what you stated in the letter?
November 16th, 2016 / 4:25 p.m.
Former Chief Statistician of Canada, As an Individual
What I stated are the points that I made in my introductory comments. I said that the relationship between Shared Services Canada and Statistics Canada was inconsistent with the internationally recognized principle of official independence of national statistical offices, which the government had endorsed. The Government of Canada had also endorsed the various recommendations of international bodies with respect to independence.
My point was that Shared Services Canada has had and continues to have an effective veto on any program or activity of Statistics Canada that requires any change in our informatics infrastructure.
4:25 p.m.
Conservative
4:30 p.m.
Former Chief Statistician of Canada, As an Individual
Two days before my resignation, I received a letter from the Prime Minister reiterating his commitment to the independence of Statistics Canada, and it really didn't go any further than that. The Clerk of the Privy Council wrote me a letter essentially stating his disagreement with the points I was raising. I felt it was largely beside the point.
4:30 p.m.
Conservative
Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB
The Clerk of the Privy Council sent a letter disputing your concerns?
4:30 p.m.
Former Chief Statistician of Canada, As an Individual
He wrote back indicating that he disagreed with the arguments I was advancing in the letter.
4:30 p.m.
Conservative
Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB
Were there specifics, or was it, “Thank you, Mr. Smith. Goodbye. We disagree with you”, or...?
4:30 p.m.
Former Chief Statistician of Canada, As an Individual
The only specific in it, which provoked me to respond, was a claim that Shared Services Canada had fully and properly supported the 2016 census of population—which really wasn't true—to which I responded. On the other points, I simply said we'll have to agree to disagree.
4:30 p.m.
Conservative
Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB
Who designed the census website that crashed? Was it Shared Services Canada, or was it done internally or through someone else?
4:30 p.m.
Former Chief Statistician of Canada, As an Individual
The census one was not Shared Services Canada's fault, nor actually was it Statistics Canada's. It resulted from a bug in the commercial database software, which brought the website down.
The website, after we turned it on initially, was operating very slowly. We determined that the problem—
4:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski
Colleagues, I see the bells have started ringing again; however, at the risk of contradicting myself, only because Mr. Smith has taken the time out of his busy schedule to be with us today, I suggest that we complete Mr. McCauley's question and answer and go to Mr. Weir. At least that way we'll have had one question from each of the three parties before we suspend.
After that, colleagues, I believe, if I'm reading the tea leaves right, this will probably be the last set of bells we'll have this afternoon, but we have about 15 minutes' worth of business in camera.
If we can complete Mr. McCauley's and Mr. Weir's testimony, then, we will excuse our witness, and come back after hopefully our final vote for a few minutes of committee business before we adjourn at 5:30.
Do I have concurrence of the committee?
4:30 p.m.
Conservative
4:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski
We'll finish Mr. McCauley's and Mr. Weir's, so that each of the three parties—
4:30 p.m.
Liberal
Yasmin Ratansi Liberal Don Valley East, ON
Is it a half-hour bell? We should have followed the same process last time.
4:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski
We didn't think there was going to be another set of bells. I hate breaking with precedents, Ms. Ratansi.
4:30 p.m.
Liberal
Nick Whalen Liberal St. John's East, NL
We would like to get Francis's question in the four rounds, as normal.
4:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski
We're going to be tight for time.
Let's complete Mr. McCauley's turn, please.
4:30 p.m.
Conservative
4:30 p.m.
Liberal
Ramez Ayoub Liberal Thérèse-De Blainville, QC
Do we have the time for that?
Do we have the agreement?