Procedure and House Affairs Committee on Feb. 25th, 2020

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

You don't know how often it meets to discuss its Centre Block input, correct?

[Rob Wright]

I couldn't—

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

Do you know if the meetings are public or private?

[Rob Wright]

Traditionally, the committee on internal economy and and administration has been broadcast, but the subcommittee is in camera.

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

Can you describe what the committee's level of input has been? What kind of stuff is it commenting on, whether it's Centre Block or this building? Does the committee get into the weeds of what colour the carpet should be is, or is it more high level and dealing with the size of rooms and stuff like that?

[Rob Wright]

It's been grosso modo quite similar: the core requirements; the number of committee rooms; where parliamentary offices would be; the requirements for a chamber, for example; the galleries for a chamber; security; and the range of elements we discussed in our presentation a week ago.

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

Would you say the administration is receptive of its input? Do you think there is value to the Senate's input?

[Rob Wright]

It's hard for me to speak to the dynamics between the Senate administration and senators, but there has been an active engagement over the years on the ongoing work in the precinct.

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

Do you see value in the senators' contribution—

[Rob Wright]

I would say—

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

—or would you rather they just got out of the way?

[Rob Wright]

We work within a governance framework in which there are two independent Houses of Parliament, and we do our best to serve you equally.

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

The last major renovation was the rebuilding in 1916. Are you aware of what input was made by the Senate or House? Did a committee exist, and was it a joint committee? If somebody else could provide more details about it, I'd like to hear it, but what level of engagement was coming from the Senate and the House?

[Rob Wright]

That's a good question. I wouldn't be able to respond to that today.

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

Does somebody else know?

[Susan Kulba, Director General, Real Property, Real Property Services, House of Commons]

We know that Pearson worked very closely with the Speaker of the House at that time on some of the elements. Pearson was the architect employed by PSPC, but there was involvement through the Speaker.

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

Through the Speaker. Do you know if there was a committee?

[Susan Kulba]

We can see if there is anything in research.

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

Can you look into that, and let us know? It would be nice to get an understanding of what the level of engagement was then from the House and the Senate, and how that was structured. It would also be good to know what that input could look like now.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ruby Sahota]

Mr. Therrien.

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

Good morning, everyone.

I'm very glad to see you here today.

I don't know if what I am about to say is in order, but you will let me know if it is. Last week, you presented several scenarios. Among other things, you indicated the anticipated number of MPs. I don't know if you have already made those clarifications, but I don't think you have.

How do you go about determining which of all the scenarios considered will be the right one? Who is responsible for this? Which parameters are used to help us make an informed choice?

[Susan Kulba]

Essentially, we are following the legislation, which predicts the number of MPs we would be planning for. After that, once we have that scenario, those are the options we will put forward, and they would go up through the governance process for approval.

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

As far as the budget is concerned, I imagine that the more imposing the building, the more expensive it is. Do we know what the limit is?

The Conservatives have put forward the idea that the various budgets that we would have to support should be considered. You are probably thinking that it's rare that work of this magnitude can be done, given that you cannot shut down Parliament at any moment. We can decide to go merrily along and give the construction as much scope as possible.

However, is there no limit that we could impose on you in terms of your budget?

[Rob Wright]

The budget is really important, of course. Before we start construction as such, we will have to have a tight budget and deadlines. From then on, it will be up to us to meet that budget and those deadlines.

We're at a point right now of being in an iterative piece of back and forth to really understand what the houses of Parliament want in Centre Block and the visitor welcome centre. Once that becomes a little clearer, we'll be able to give you those cost comparisons so you can make informed decisions. That is critically important. Then it will be our job to respect that budget and schedule once they are established. It is our hope that over the next several months we will be able to go through that process together. Then we will be able to go to the Treasury Board in the fall to get that baseline scope, budget and schedule. From there we would proceed.

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

The questions I am asking are really not an inquisition. I just want to know how it works. I imagine you have some idea of the demographic trajectory that determines that, in 50 years, the number of MPs should increase. I imagine you are relying heavily on those projections to come up with the best possible product. Isn't that right?