Evidence of meeting #10 for Public Accounts in the 41st Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was auditors.
A recording is available from Parliament.
NDP
The Chair NDP David Christopherson
Very good. Thank you.
Madame Blanchette-Lamothe, you have the floor.
NDP
Lysane Blanchette-Lamothe NDP Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
My first question is for Mr. Ralston. One of the audit's objectives was to see if the Office of the Comptroller General of Canada was fulfilling its mandate to promote healthy independence of resources to all government departments.
Could you tell me what you mean by “healthy independence” and, if necessary, how could Parliament contribute to this healthy independence?
Comptroller General of Canada, Treasury Board Secretariat
One of the key principles for auditing, whether it's internal or external, is that the auditor must approach the work with objectivity and an absence of bias. Structurally, the way that is ensured is to make sure that auditors effectively don't examine activities or practices that they are themselves responsible for. As John mentioned, in the internal audit world in the federal government, essentially, internal auditors or chief audit executives are meant to be serving deputy ministers.
Perhaps the most important structural feature that we put in place was ensuring that chief audit executives reported directly to deputy ministers.
NDP
The Chair NDP David Christopherson
Mr. Ralston, I'm sorry to do this, and I apologize, but I do need to interrupt you. Colleagues are now noticing that the bells are ringing in the House.
Does anybody know exactly what's going on?
Mr. Saxton.
Conservative
Andrew Saxton Conservative North Vancouver, BC
Yes, Mr. Chair. Thank you.
I understand that the opposition has asked for a vote or forced a vote in the House right now. These are 30-minute bells that are ringing. We are going to have to adjourn and go to the House.
I think that in the interests of time and also the fact that we have so many witnesses here today, perhaps we could continue for 15 minutes. At that time, I would like to put a motion forward that we adjourn and that we have the opportunity to have these witnesses come back to committee at a later date.
NDP
The Chair NDP David Christopherson
Both the 15 minutes and have them come back, is that what you're moving?
NDP
Conservative
Conservative
Joyce Bateman Conservative Winnipeg South Centre, MB
As a chartered accountant, I am so honoured to be here. I am so honoured to learn from all these chief audit executives. I really hope we—
NDP
The Chair NDP David Christopherson
Well, with that kind of excitement and exuberance, we definitely have to come back.
Conservative
NDP
The Chair NDP David Christopherson
What was I thinking? What's the matter with me?
Okay. I like your idea. Let's do another one or two people and then adjourn. We'll excuse our guests, if that's what I'm hearing, and then we'll reconvene and have a more fulsome discussion if we can hold Ms. Bateman's excitement intact until then.
I'm sensing that's where the committee is comfortable to go.
Mr. Saxton.
Conservative
NDP
The Chair NDP David Christopherson
Yes. We'll take two speakers. Do you agree that we'll do two more rounds and then adjourn? Or do you want to adjourn now?
Conservative
NDP
The Chair NDP David Christopherson
Let me at least get to Mr. Byrne so that all three parties have had a chance.
Liberal
NDP
Liberal
