Evidence of meeting #21 for Industry, Science and Technology in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was ecbc.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Vice-President, Finance and Corporate Services, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Yes.
Liberal
Rodger Cuzner Liberal Cape Breton—Canso, NS
Do you think he'll give back the truck and the credit card then? That was a little editorial comment.
Further with clause 183, regarding the transfer of the employees to ACOA and their appointment to the public service, will this action include the current ECBC employees who have been named in the ongoing investigation undertaken by the Public Integrity Commissioner?
Vice-President, Finance and Corporate Services, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
All employees currently employed with ECBC will be transferred over.
In the matter of the investigation, that is something that I can't speak to, it's ongoing. But upon royal assent, all employees of the crown corporation will become employees of ACOA or Public Works and Government Services.
Liberal
Rodger Cuzner Liberal Cape Breton—Canso, NS
There was one position that was fabricated. No other regional economic development firm has a liaison in Ottawa. ECBC had a liaison in Ottawa. With the finality of ECBC, will that position be eliminated or will that employee be rolled into the public service?
Vice-President, Finance and Corporate Services, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
I can't speak to the investigation. This is a matter that is under way, it's confidential, but it has no bearing on this transaction. This is a separate transaction and all employees of ECBC will be rolled into the public service.
Liberal
Rodger Cuzner Liberal Cape Breton—Canso, NS
With regard to the flexibility of the programs that were with ECBC, will that suite of programs be surrendered or will consideration be taken into effect at ACOA to develop a suite of programs similar to ECBC programs? I'm sure you're familiar with the difference.
Vice-President, Finance and Corporate Services, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Yes, the ECBC programs will be terminated. What we will offer in Cape Breton will be the ACOA suite of programs: the business development program, the innovative communities fund, and the Atlantic innovation fund.
These programs are flexible in nature and should allow us to deliver and respond to the needs of Cape Breton.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
That's pretty well it, Mr. Cuzner.
Thank you very much, Madam Frenette.
Liberal
Rodger Cuzner Liberal Cape Breton—Canso, NS
Chair, I want to thank you for indulging me on that. Thanks very much.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
You're welcome, Mr. Cuzner.
We will move on to Madam Bateman, now for five minutes.
Conservative
Joyce Bateman Conservative Winnipeg South Centre, MB
It was really us, Mr. Cuzner.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Ms. Frenette, thank you for your presentation. The opportunity to discuss these provisions with you today is a very important one. It allows the government to be more effective, and that is what we want. So thank you for helping us do that.
I have a few specific questions.
You may not know but I come from western Canada and we have a very different model in the west. It's called western diversification. It is more efficient and effective and certainly less funded than ACOA.
I'm very interested to find out if ECBC has a board appointed by the Governor in Council or is that only ACOA at this juncture?
Vice-President, Finance and Corporate Services, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
ECBC currently has a board appointed by the Governor in Council—
Conservative
Vice-President, Finance and Corporate Services, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
They will not. That board will be abolished.
Conservative
Joyce Bateman Conservative Winnipeg South Centre, MB
How many members are there going to be on the final board, the amalgamated board?
Vice-President, Finance and Corporate Services, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
There will be no amalgamated board. ECBC has a board of directors that will be terminated upon the dissolution of ECBC.
Conservative
Vice-President, Finance and Corporate Services, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
I don't have the specific number of board members on ECBC's board. On the ACOA—
Conservative
Vice-President, Finance and Corporate Services, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Yes.
Conservative
Joyce Bateman Conservative Winnipeg South Centre, MB
Okay, and how many are going to be on the amalgamated board?
Vice-President, Finance and Corporate Services, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
There will be no amalgamated board. They have a very different board than ACOA. ECBC has a board that is a decision-making board. ACOA has an advisory board, and under division 9, we are proposing the abolishment of that advisory board, following royal assent, if both divisions are included in the approved bill.