Evidence of meeting #1 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was briefing.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Clerk of the Committee  Mr. Paul Cardegna
Raphaëlle Deraspe  Committee Researcher

10:05 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski

There might be a silly question, for example.

10:05 a.m.

Conservative

Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB

There will be enough of us asking dumb questions, but I agree with Mr. Drouin. If it's purely a briefing and nothing to do with the supplementary estimates (B) specifically, then let's just keep it as is.

10:05 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski

We have two opposing views, which are very good points each, respectfully, but I would like to make sure we have a determination now, so we can inform Treasury Board. I'll just ask the simple question. All of those in favour of having the Treasury Board officials provide their testimony next Tuesday in camera?

10:05 a.m.

Conservative

Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB

No, Chair, we're not saying “testimony”. It's a briefing on the testimony process.

10:05 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski

When I say “testimony”, Kelly, when the officials come in and give us information, that's testimony.

10:05 a.m.

Conservative

Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB

Thank you.

10:05 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski

All in favour of in camera?

(Motion agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

Duly noted, Mr. Green, thank you.

10:05 a.m.

NDP

Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON

Let the record show.... I should say this, though. Out of all the things, Mr. Chair, if you will indulge me, I do appreciate that the clerk did not announce the earlier vote count for the vice-chair because that would have been embarrassing.

10:05 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski

We'll keep that our little secret.

Prior to next Tuesday's meeting, is it the will of this committee then to invite the other three ministers to appear before the committee prior to...and we'll put in a deadline there?

10:05 a.m.

Conservative

Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB

It has to be part of March. The mains have to be out by the 28th. Therefore, they have to be deemed reported by the end of March, which means—

10:05 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski

I'm going to ask Raphaëlle.

10:05 a.m.

Committee Researcher

Raphaëlle Deraspe

This is a bit confusing because, with the last Parliament, the House adopted different standing orders for the main estimates. Now we're going back to the old model, if I can call it that, and the main estimates have to be tabled on or before March 1, and the committee has until May 31 to report them to the House.

10:05 a.m.

Conservative

Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB

Did I mention we've been sharing with the PBO? Their understanding from Treasury Board is that it's the end of March they're deemed reported.

10:05 a.m.

Committee Researcher

Raphaëlle Deraspe

Not for the main estimates.

10:05 a.m.

Conservative

Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB

Are you sure?

10:05 a.m.

Committee Researcher

10:05 a.m.

The Clerk

That may be a confusion. Possibly they mean the supplementary estimates by March 26, or do you mean the main estimates?

10:05 a.m.

Conservative

Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB

That's what they were saying, and I just got a note from Jason Jacques.

10:05 a.m.

The Clerk

[Inaudible—Editor] standing order.

10:05 a.m.

Committee Researcher

Raphaëlle Deraspe

It's May 31, and actually Parliament will vote on the main estimates at the end of June with the supply bill.

10:05 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski

That is the normal timeline.

10:05 a.m.

Liberal

Francis Drouin Liberal Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON

Priority would be on supplementary estimates (B).

10:05 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski

Absolutely. We'll extend the invitations to the respective ministers, colleagues, and will have a meeting of the subcommittee on agenda and procedure next Tuesday morning at 8:45 for those members of the subcommittee. Then we will have testimony, or a briefing, by Treasury Board officials on supplementary estimates (B) from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

10:05 a.m.

Conservative

Kelly Block Conservative Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK

No, not on the supplementary estimates (B).

10:05 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski

I'm sorry, I mean on the estimates, and those will be in camera.

Is there any other information for the benefit of the committee that you would like to discuss?