Evidence of meeting #134 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was property.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Real Property Services, Department of Public Works and Government Services
I would start by again indicating that these decisions were made by Global Affairs Canada. PSPC provided the appraisal services, but the decision really belongs to Global Affairs Canada.
Liberal
Jenica Atwin Liberal Fredericton, NB
Great. I very much look forward to asking them these same questions tomorrow as well. I certainly appreciate your best attempts at explaining some of the thoughts that I think are going through many of our minds right now.
In general, as my time runs down, have you, personally, dealt with any similar cases like this, whereby a residence or real property was bought to replace one that was being sold?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Real Property Services, Department of Public Works and Government Services
What I can speak to in the context of PSPC's responsibilities, notably for the office portfolio, is that we regularly look at assets that we own and assets that we lease, and make a number of decisions in order to rightsize the Government of Canada's office portfolio. In fact, following the last budget, we are following government direction to significantly reduce that office portfolio over the next 10 years. That will require us to dispose of a number of properties that we currently have and to acquire new leases in certain cases.
Many of the properties that we will dispose of—again, following government direction—will be put to be converted into housing. Decisions are made in that regard, and I can speak to the responsibilities for PSPC, but going back to this particular transaction, Global Affairs Canada would be well suited to answer your questions.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
Thanks, Mrs. Atwin.
Mrs. Vignola, go ahead, please, for two and a half minutes.
Bloc
Julie Vignola Bloc Beauport—Limoilou, QC
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Ms. Bouchard, I understand that the Park Avenue property appraisal hasn't been made public to avoid spoiling any negotiating opportunities. However, could the committee read it under a confidentiality agreement that prevents members from disclosing any details?
Acting Chief Appraiser of Canada, Real Property Services, Department of Public Works and Government Services
Honestly, I wish I could give you an answer but I can't say whether the committee could be given conditional access to the appraisal.
Bloc
Julie Vignola Bloc Beauport—Limoilou, QC
Mr. Chair, do you think it would be possible to request a confidential copy of the Park Avenue property appraisal?
Conservative
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
We'll set a day, by next week, perhaps. It would be....
Ms. Bouchard, have you seen that appraisal? Is it in English and French already?
Acting Chief Appraiser of Canada, Real Property Services, Department of Public Works and Government Services
Yes, I've seen the appraisal report.
Acting Chief Appraiser of Canada, Real Property Services, Department of Public Works and Government Services
No. The report is in English only.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
We're going to suspend for a couple of seconds for the Liberals for this. The idea is to have it in confidence—
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
We're back in.
Madame Vignola, if it's okay with you, I'll ask you to withdraw your request. We'll reconsider it, perhaps, after your next round. Mr. Jowhari is suggesting that we all talk off-line about it in the break. Perfect.
Continue. You have about two minutes.
Bloc
Julie Vignola Bloc Beauport—Limoilou, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Ms. Tattersall, could you briefly tell us whether Treasury Board conducts a review when the monthly costs of an apartment exceed a certain limit, or whether a review only happens when the purchase price exceeds a certain limit? To put it another way, is there a limit on monthly costs as well?
Assistant Comptroller General, Acquired Services and Assets Sector, Office of the Comptroller General, Treasury Board Secretariat
There's an annual limit and a purchase price limit.
Bloc
Julie Vignola Bloc Beauport—Limoilou, QC
Is the purchase price limit set for each apartment, or for everything?
