Government Operations Committee on Feb. 14th, 2024

[Majid Jowhari, Liberal, Richmond Hill, ON]

Thank you for that motion.

In general, we've always been supportive of transparency and making sure we have access to unredacted documents, given the circumstances.

Can we ask you to consider that at our next meeting? We would like to really look at the implications of that. I understand it's the simple production of documents, and I believe.... When are we meeting next?

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

It will be Monday, February 26.

Can we decide that then? I'll make an extra 30 minutes of resources available for that.

[Majid Jowhari, Liberal, Richmond Hill, ON]

We just need some time to look at it. I don't think there is going to be an issue. We're going through the production of documents, so we want to understand what that is, as well as the implications.

[Julie Vignola, Bloc, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

In that case, I would respond by saying that it pertains to a contract under $2 million. I'm not asking for all of the contracts related to COVID Alert, just those involving GC Strategies. I don't think we're talking about a huge volume of documents.

As things stand, I'm able to analyze some things, but not everything. That's why I'm asking for the documents. It's not to put anyone in a tight corner. It's really to allow for a full analysis, so we are in a position to improve the distribution, standing offer, contracting, amendment and other processes.

It shouldn't be an enormous number of documents. It's probably one or two documents, at most, plus any correspondence.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

I have Mr. Kusmierczyk and then Mr. Sousa.

[Irek Kusmierczyk, Liberal, Windsor—Tecumseh, ON]

Has this motion been circulated already? I don't have it in front of me, and I'd love to be able to get a copy.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

It's in the meeting OneNote.

[Irek Kusmierczyk, Liberal, Windsor—Tecumseh, ON]

For sure.

Again, I just haven't had the time, because we've discussed so much today. It's been such a jam-packed committee meeting that I haven't even had a chance to talk about it or discuss it with my colleagues, or even consider it.

I would definitely support the chair's recommendation, which is to set aside time in the next meeting to have this debate and discussion fully, so that we understand the implications of that motion.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

That might give us time to fix the translation as well.

Mr. Sousa.

[Charles Sousa, Liberal, Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON]

Can we suspend? There's some discussion going on back here. I need to suspend. I'm sorry.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

No. We're not going to suspend, Mr. Sousa. Your colleagues are moving one way. We're not going to suspend for you.

[Charles Sousa, Liberal, Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON]

It's not for me. It's—

[Julie Vignola, Bloc, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

I'm fine with carrying on the discussion at the next meeting, but we need to agree now that we will discuss it then. I don't want it to be brushed aside.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

I will put in an extra request right now for extra resources, at least, so that we can address this.

[Julie Vignola, Bloc, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

I'll ask for an extra half-hour or something.

We'll have to get the English and French lined up properly.

Are we fine with that, everyone? Good. If there's nothing else, we'll adjourn.

Thank you, everyone, for your dealings with the AG today.