Evidence of meeting #93 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 pbo.
8:55 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski
Yes, I'm just reading the motion here myself:
That the Committee invite the Parliamentary Budget Officer to appear before the end of the current Parliamentary session....
What does that mean, Philippe?
8:55 a.m.
The Clerk
We can interpret it as this June or this fall.
8:55 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski
Yes. A parliamentary session is not just the sitting in the spring.
8:55 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski
Literally, we could have this without any formal motion from this committee. The PBO's appearance could be scheduled this fall, if we wish.
8:55 a.m.
Liberal
Nick Whalen Liberal St. John's East, NL
Oh yes, at the semicolon, just put a period. I want to make it stronger, say next Tuesday, or the next sitting of the committee thereafter, but during the regular time, not as a special session.
8:55 a.m.
Conservative
Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB
We want the PBO heard before we move forward on any changes to the estimates.
8:55 a.m.
Conservative
Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB
Especially in light of Mr. Brison's dismissive comments about the PBO.
8:55 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski
What Nick is saying is even a little stronger than that. He's putting some precision behind the appearance time of the—
8:55 a.m.
Conservative
Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB
We're fine with that. Again, we want the PBO heard before changes are made.
8:55 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski
I don't think there's any disagreement on the government's side.
8:55 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski
Okay, so if that's the case, if we may, leave the motion as presented even without a semicolon or period. That would allow some flexibility, particularly for the chair, to schedule a meeting. If we're all in agreement with the PBO appearing at some time that's convenient, then we'll make sure that it happens. We still need, from a procedural standpoint, to vote on this motion.
8:55 a.m.
Liberal
Nick Whalen Liberal St. John's East, NL
I don't want it to be held outside of the committee's regularly scheduled business.
8:55 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski
You're suggesting then, Nick, that the committee invite the Parliamentary Budget Officer to appear before the end of the current parliamentary session to provide a briefing on the estimates process and its recent report to Parliament, period.
8:55 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski
All right, the amended motion, then.
(Motion as amended agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
Whether it's this coming Tuesday or at the first opportunity, and it may be the fall, definitely the intent is to bring the PBO here to discuss what the motion today says. Okay?
Thank you for that, colleagues. With that, we will go in camera and start discussing the debate.
[Proceedings continue in camera]
