Natural Resources Committee on Oct. 17th, 2011

[Mitch Bloom]

I'm saying I wasn't there two years ago.

[Dennis Bevington, NDP, Western Arctic, NT]

So you have no knowledge of this?

[Mitch Bloom]

I wasn't there two years ago, so I can't—

[Dennis Bevington, NDP, Western Arctic, NT]

You have no knowledge of when the financial management framework was established?

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

Mr. Anderson, go ahead on a point of order.

[David Anderson, Conservative, Cypress Hills—Grasslands, SK]

For one thing, I think the witness is being badgered, and from another perspective, the audit is not finished. Mr. Bevington wants the witness to speak about an audit that he has not done. It's incomplete. The draft's been given. When that audit is completed, it will be released and he can criticize it at that point.

I think he needs to stay on topic today.

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

Thank you, Mr. Anderson.

Mr. Bevington, if you—

[Dennis Bevington, NDP, Western Arctic, NT]

Can I respond to that point of order?

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

You can if you want to.

[Dennis Bevington, NDP, Western Arctic, NT]

Okay. To the point of order, the financial management framework is not part of the audit; it's part of the department. When I ask a question about the financial management framework, I'm asking about whether one is in place in the department. That's a little different from asking him what the content of an audit is, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

Mr. Bevington, I was actually just going to interrupt you and ask you to ask questions through the chair. Don't get too aggressive with the witnesses. Ask any question you want, but give them time to respond.

[Dennis Bevington, NDP, Western Arctic, NT]

Okay.

I guess my question is, how much political pressure was put on this agency to set it up quickly. Were normal controls and practices to safeguard Canadians' money tossed out the window?

[Mitch Bloom]

The short answer to your question is this. I'm a public servant. I'm under no pressure other than to deliver the best-quality service, with proper efficacy and due diligence. And certainly since I've joined the organization, as far as I know, it has operated on that basis throughout its existence.

[Dennis Bevington, NDP, Western Arctic, NT]

That's certainly not the information I've heard from many people who have worked in this department or in this agency. I think this is something that needs further examination, but I guess we'll have to wait.

How's my time doing, Mr. Chair?

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

You have a minute left, Mr. Bevington.

[Dennis Bevington, NDP, Western Arctic, NT]

Thank you.

What is the current situation with the chief executive officer of the organization?

[Mitch Bloom]

We currently have an interim president who would serve as the deputy head of the organization. That person has been appointed, by order in council, by the Prime Minister.

[Dennis Bevington, NDP, Western Arctic, NT]

Is that person on contract? What's the name of that person?

[Mitch Bloom]

She is Colleen Swords. She is an existing deputy-level individual within the public service. She happens to be the associate deputy minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada as well as, now, the interim president.

[Dennis Bevington, NDP, Western Arctic, NT]

Is the previous executive officer now working in or on contract with CanNor?

[Mitch Bloom]

No.

[Dennis Bevington, NDP, Western Arctic, NT]

Nicole Jauvin is not on contract with CanNor.

[Mitch Bloom]

No.

[Dennis Bevington, NDP, Western Arctic, NT]

Is she on contract with the minister?

[Mitch Bloom]

I couldn't speak to that.