Government Operations Committee on Oct. 29th, 2024

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

I will get to you after Mrs. Kusie.

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

No, I think I want to discuss it, because we have had these discussions often—

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Mr. Sousa, let me interrupt quickly.

I've put forward the schedule that we've basically agreed to going forward—

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

I'm concerned. I am talking about the schedule.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

If you wish to put a motion, we'll do a motion, but after the one I've put forward just asking the committee's opinion about the ombudsman. Then we'll start in order, and Mrs. Kusie is the first.

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

We have discussions in this committee many times around scheduling. You've kindly given us a little bit more of a preface as to what is happening, which is welcome, but it hasn't always been the case. I think it's important for us to have this discussion, and now that we're having it, to further elaborate some of the concerns of members of this committee. I think it's important for us to reiterate and explain what those are for the benefit of where we're headed.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Do you have a motion that you would like to put forward?

If you do, then we will get to the issue I brought up first and then we'll recognize Mrs. Kusie, because I told her we'd get back to her—

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

The motion is in regard to this very issue.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

I'm sorry?

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

This is very much in regard to what you're talking about.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

That's not the question I asked, Mr. Sousa. It's a very straightforward question.

If you have a question on the schedule, I will answer it—

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

It seems to me—

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Let me finish, Mr. Sousa.

If you have a motion, then we'll hear your motion.

I did bring up the fact that I wanted feedback on the issue I brought up first regarding the procurement ombudsman and the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner.

Then Mrs. Kusie had her hand up. As soon as I open this, I will go to her and then we'll get to your motion.

If you want to do your motion, that's fine. We'll get to it. If it's just a question regarding the schedule, then I'll answer that.

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

This is all about the scheduling.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Is it a question regarding the schedule or a statement regarding the schedule?

If it's a question, I'll answer it. If it's a statement and a motion, we'll get back to you and you'll have your time.

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

I'm trying to have an open discussion on a matter that I think is critical to all of us here and on some of the issues that have taken place, which I think need to be reminded of and corrected so that they will not be repeated. I think some of us want to have that discussion in regard to your scheduling.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Okay, you don't have a question on the schedule. You'd like to have a discussion on it. That's fine.

I will ask what we want to do about the procurement ombudsman and the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner.

[Rachel Blaney, NDP, North Island—Powell River, BC]

I have a point of order.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Then we'll go to Mrs. Kusie and then we'll go to Mr. Sousa—

[Rachel Blaney, NDP, North Island—Powell River, BC]

That's great, but we should deal with my point of order first.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

We'll go to Ms. Blaney.

You have a point of order. Go ahead.

[Rachel Blaney, NDP, North Island—Powell River, BC]

My point of order is that I actually don't know what we're talking about. I went to the bathroom because you told us we had some time.

If you could reiterate what we're talking about so that I have the context, I would really appreciate it.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Certainly.

I explained to the committee what the schedule is going to be with our witnesses. It's dependent on whether Minister Hajdu comes in.

I'd asked the committee if we'd like to move ahead with bringing in the procurement ombudsman—I think you were here for that—and the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner.

Then Mr. Sousa wanted to have a discussion on the schedule.

[Rachel Blaney, NDP, North Island—Powell River, BC]

Just for clarity's sake, were any dates included in that?

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Yes.