Public Accounts Committee on May 28th, 2007

[D/Commr Peter Martin]

I want all these terms cleaned up, because they're confusing to me, and I'm responsible for this area. We have too many of them.

Being the best is not being the fastest. Being the best is listening to what the client's need is, and then meeting that client need. Because if a client needs the turnaround time in 30 days, doing it in 15 is a waste of money. We have lots of activities in the forensic lab and lots of priorities, so we need to invest to meet the client needs, and that's what we're going to do, but not necessarily be the best in terms of how quickly we get it out.

[David Sweet, Conservative, Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale, ON]

Good. No, I concur. Obviously that's good management.

Page 13 is what I was trying to ask you about last time, Deputy Commissioner.

In this model here, in exhibit 7.6, basically your expenditures for your department, for the forensic labs, are $9.4 million, and you have said that you reprofiled $5 million. Does that mean that we're now at a total there of $14.4 million?

[D/Commr Peter Martin]

Yes.

[David Sweet, Conservative, Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale, ON]

Okay. So now, then, it is really critical to make sure we take a look at value for dollar, because we're way above what the other labs' cost of business is at present.

[D/Commr Peter Martin]

Yes.

[David Sweet, Conservative, Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale, ON]

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Brian Fitzpatrick]

I want to thank the witnesses today. That was a very good session, very informative. Top-notch day, so I thank all the witnesses who are here today.

I will declare this meeting adjourned.

Thank you very much.