Evidence of meeting #24 for Public Accounts in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was move.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Jean-Marc Bard  As an Individual
Alex Smith  Committee Researcher
Don Boudria  As an Individual
Claude Drouin  As an Individual

1:05 p.m.

Conservative

Brian Fitzpatrick Conservative Prince Albert, SK

Chair, it's my understanding that we are seeking clarification from Public Works. I think everybody said that they really want to find out the total costs and quantify this whole area. The thing I think we've missed on this point, and it's come up today and I think it's quite relevant, is the name of the tenants who moved into Bonaventure, the date of the moves, the cost of the relevant relocation and moving, and the amount of any unproductive rents that resulted from those relocations. They're part of the picture too. You can't look at a glass half-empty. We need those figures, as well. I would ask that the committee, through you, Chair, seek that information from Public Works. They should have it.

1:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Shawn Murphy

Yes, Mr. Fitzpatrick.

If I may summarize that point, this issue arose as a sidebar in the Auditor General's report. It wasn't an audit. The Auditor General stands by that $4.6 million figure. That figure's been challenged by Public Works and Government Services. If we had the Auditor General here today, I am certain that she would say that based on the information she has, she stands by the $4.6 million.

Public Works and Government Services has challenged that figure. They were supposed to get us up-to-date information. They were supposed to get it by today's date. They haven't. We expect it very soon. We will push them and get it. Once we get it, we will certainly circulate it to the committee. We'll also give it to the Auditor General for analysis and ask if there's any change in their testimony.

Mr. Fitzpatrick, we will bring your point to them. However, I want to point out to you that I'm not as convinced as you are that it's relevant. If the Business Development Bank established an office in the city of Montreal and upped the cost in going there, I don't think it would have been included. But I'll let the Auditor General deal with that issue.

1:05 p.m.

Liberal

Borys Wrzesnewskyj Liberal Etobicoke Centre, ON

On a point of order, Chair....

1:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Shawn Murphy

A point of order.

1:05 p.m.

Liberal

Borys Wrzesnewskyj Liberal Etobicoke Centre, ON

As you reviewed the information to be brought forward.... What I had requested—and I thought I had made myself clear several times—was the numbers based upon which the Auditor General arrived at that number of $4.6 million. It's not just Public Works; we want to see how the Auditor General arrived at her numbers.

1:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Shawn Murphy

Plus, whether she is getting them changed.

1:05 p.m.

Conservative

Brian Fitzpatrick Conservative Prince Albert, SK

And also Public Works.

1:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Shawn Murphy

Okay, thank you very much.

We'll see you next Tuesday at eleven o'clock.

The meeting is adjourned.