Evidence of meeting #38 for Public Accounts in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was resources.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Department of Health
Certainly we are in the process at Health Canada of reviewing our legislative backdrop. The Hazardous Products Act is one of those that we're currently reviewing, and that is one of the things we would be looking at.
NDP
David Christopherson NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
It's very troubling. I have to tell you that it bothers me that in this day and age when there's asbestos, kids, and toys, under any condition, under any kind of legal framework or regulatory framework, that we would say yes, go ahead, the science seems to be okay. How many times have we found our scientists, based on their best professionalism, because of what they didn't know down the road, still wished they hadn't allowed something? I just don't know why we risk it. That's very troubling.
Thanks, Chair.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Shawn Murphy
I have a question for the Auditor General. The whole issue of baselines I think is very important here, and the absence of program baselines. We have a situation where funds are being allocated back and forth and there really isn't any baseline issue. Do you think baselines should be in all regulatory programs? I'd ask you to elaborate on that issue.
Auditor General of Canada, Office of the Auditor General of Canada
My general reaction to that would be yes. It's hard to know if you are meeting your regulatory responsibilities if you haven't set baselines. If you haven't established the level of activity--which of course can vary over time, as risks change and situations change--if you haven't established the baseline, then how do you know if you're allocating enough resources to it or not, and how do you know if you're carrying out the level of activity you think is appropriate? So I would say yes.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Shawn Murphy
Thank you very much, Ms. Fraser.
We've concluded both rounds. I'm going to ask Ms. Fraser if she has any parting comments, and the same with you, Mr. Rosenberg.
Auditor General of Canada, Office of the Auditor General of Canada
I would like to thank the committee for their interest in this report. As I mentioned earlier, we are encouraged by the reaction from the department, and we see that they're already starting to take steps on this.
Thank you.
Deputy Minister, Department of Health
I want to thank the committee for their interest as well. We will be back to you with an action plan by the end of the month.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Shawn Murphy
On behalf of the committee, I want to thank all the witnesses for their presentations and appearance here this afternoon. We will be writing a report in due course.
Before I adjourn, there are three things I want to raise. First, tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock there will not be a formal meeting of the public accounts committee, but all members of Parliament and all senators are invited to attend a presentation by the Auditor General of her February 2007 report. I think there are seven chapters. Then on Wednesday afternoon at 3:30 we are to appear at a regular meeting with the Auditor General to deal with that report and all chapters.
Finally, Mr. Wrzesnewskyj, I want to come back to you. I have received your motion with six names of RCMP officers. We have two or three already. That's fine, but perhaps you could just elaborate by tomorrow in writing as to the relevance and how you see it fitting in with our investigation. Then when we come back on Wednesday we can vote on your motion.
Liberal
Borys Wrzesnewskyj Liberal Etobicoke Centre, ON
Thank you, Chair. My office has already provided a synopsis on each of the potential witnesses, which has been copied to all of the committee members. That should provide adequate background.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Shawn Murphy
Thank you for that, Mr. Wrzesnewskyj. Again, that's only in English, so you're going to have to get that translated quickly.
Liberal
Conservative
John Williams Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB
Did Mr. Wrzesnewskyj say that the background information on these people has been circulated to our offices?
Liberal
Borys Wrzesnewskyj Liberal Etobicoke Centre, ON
No. It's being circulated right now to the committee members present.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Shawn Murphy
We didn't give it to anyone because it's not in English and French.
We have the motion but not the synopses. We'll have the synopses translated, and they will be circulated tomorrow.
Mr. Laforest.
Bloc
Jean-Yves Laforest Bloc Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
Mr. Chairman, I just want a few clarifications regarding your earlier statements. You said that at 10 o'clock tomorrow, the Auditor General will table her report. Is it 9 o'clock or 10 o'clock, because certain documents say that it is 9 o'clock. In addition, will this be done in camera as was the case when the November report was tabled?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Shawn Murphy
I believe--someone correct me if I'm wrong--the lockup starts at 9 o'clock, when people can get copies of the report and read them. The Auditor General is making her presentation at 10 o'clock. All members of Parliament and senators are invited to hear her presentation.
What time will it be tabled in the House, Mrs. Fraser?
Auditor General of Canada, Office of the Auditor General of Canada
It will be at 2 o'clock.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Shawn Murphy
It will become public at that time. The staff have to remain locked up until 2 o'clock. Members of Parliament and senators can leave once they go to the hearing.
Bloc
Jean-Yves Laforest Bloc Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
Do we know in what venue or room the in camera sitting will be held?