The committee may wish to ask PWGSC and the Treasury Board Secretariat to establish a timeframe within which they will create funding mechanisms that will allow the department to select and implement the most cost-effective accommodation options.
In 2002 we reported that PWGSC needed to strengthen the integrity and availability of information to support the management of the acquisition of office space. In our report this year, we reported unsatisfactory progress in this area.
To make the right strategic decisions, managers need information that is timely, accurate, and complete. We found that the basic information property managers need does not exist, is inadequate, or is difficult to get.
The committee may wish to ask the department to describe the steps it is taking to streamline the management of the real property portfolio and that it will take to establish the information systems needed to support its strategy.
Finally, Mr. Chair, we would like to raise the following issue. Often, government managers view office accommodation as a free good or service. However, at present, the cost of office accommodation is being paid by PWGSC and is being reported in departmental public accounts as a service that's provided without cost. The government should ensure that the system provides the right incentives for good management, including selecting the most cost-effective options.
Mr. Chair, we would be pleased to answer any questions the committee may have.