Government Operations Committee on May 29th, 2020

Evidence of meeting #15 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 measures.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Government’s Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

MPs speaking

Xavier Barsalou-Duval

Also speaking

Yves Giroux Parliamentary Budget Officer, Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer

Clerk of the Committee Mr. Paul Cardegna

Mark Mahabir Director of Policy, Costing, Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer

Karen Hogan Assistant Auditor General and Auditor General of Canada Nominee, Office of the Auditor General

Andrew Hayes Deputy Auditor General and Interim Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, Office of the Auditor General

12:55 p.m.

Assistant Auditor General and Auditor General of Canada Nominee, Office of the Auditor General

Karen Hogan

I am very much aware of the letter you're talking about that the President of the Treasury Board sent to all departments, and yes, we have commented often on data and data quality, which I imagine we will continue to comment on to ensure that decisions are properly documented. The rationale for them is extremely important. Having comprehensive and honest information to give to decision-makers is essential, and data quality is the foundation of that.

Am I concerned? I recognize that in the context we are in, decisions were made quickly and that people may not have been able to follow the processes or do it the way they'd like to, but—

12:55 p.m.

NDP

Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON

My apologies, but the question remains: Why weren't these policies or practices already put in place? Does this now raise a red flag that perhaps this wasn't already a part of their effective mandate?

12:55 p.m.

Assistant Auditor General and Auditor General of Canada Nominee, Office of the Auditor General

Karen Hogan

It's my understanding that there are policies and practices about documenting decisions and judgment calls that are made. The letter, in my opinion, was recognizing that individuals are making decisions quickly and just reminding them that those key accountability mechanisms are still important, even though we're in very different and uncertain times.

1 p.m.

NDP

Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON

Thank you.

That's all I need, Mr. Chair.

1 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski

Thank you very much, Mr. Green.

Ms. Hogan, I will excuse you now. Thank you for your appearance. Once again, my personal congratulations for your nomination. I wish you nothing but the best of luck in your next decade of work on behalf of the citizens of Canada.

Ms. May, did you have your hand raised?

1 p.m.

Green

Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC

Mr. Chair, it was to ask if there was a chance to ask Ms. Hogan a very quick question, but it sounds like there's not.

1 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski

Unfortunately, we're completely out of time, because we have to adjourn at 1 p.m. sharp, and that is now.

Once again, colleagues, thank you for your participation. We'll see you all again, I'm sure, on Monday at 2 p.m. eastern time.

We are adjourned.