Evidence of meeting #33 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 projects.
A recording is available from Parliament.
General Director, Economic and Fiscal Policy Branch, Department of Finance
Mr. Chair, I'll take that one.
In general, as I mentioned, the government has released seven reports to Canadians on the effectiveness of the economic action plan. They generally attempt to address the issues raised by the Office of the Auditor General, whether the impact of the various measures have been successful in achieving the results. Again, the main objective was to maintain and create jobs. I suspect that the final report will follow a similar approach.
Liberal
Gerry Byrne Liberal Humber—St. Barbe—Baie Verte, NL
But will you be able to provide a detailed analysis with methodology based on the expectations? Your existing conversations with the Office of the Auditor General have provided you some insight on what exactly they are looking for. Do you anticipate there may be some gaps or holes, that you may not be able to fulfill those expectations?
General Director, Economic and Fiscal Policy Branch, Department of Finance
I think we'll be able to fulfill the expectations. I think both the first audit and the second audit have been very helpful, in terms of reporting and what is required. As I said, I think it's consistent with the methodology we have adopted.
Liberal
Gerry Byrne Liberal Humber—St. Barbe—Baie Verte, NL
Concerning the follow-up audit itself, Mr. Campbell, you said to us that you haven't determined whether you're going to conduct a follow-up audit. But on a program of $47 billion, once the final or completed documentation is provided in a report to Parliament, do you anticipate it's likely that you would? Or would you still hold out that you will wait and see?
Assistant Auditor General, Office of the Auditor General of Canada
Yes, we'd wait and see. I think we have a lot of other things we need to turn our attention to. I'm not diminishing this in any way, but we've done two audits. Quite honestly, the big mistakes in a program or an initiative like this would have been made in the design at the beginning, and I think that's why we were so keen to get in there at the beginning. The second audit has been consistent with the first audit, but that's not to say we won't do it. We'll give it consideration at that time.
NDP
The Chair NDP David Christopherson
Very good. That does expire the time.
Thank you to all our witnesses.
I just have a special word for Mr. Campbell and for the Auditor General's department. I was around when all this was launched back in the day, and there were commitments looked for by members, especially opposition members, about the involvement of the Auditor General's office. There were great assurances given that you would be on top of it, that your shop would cover this no matter what.
I want to say, from my point of view, you have absolutely done that. Everyone will appreciate the political tensions at the time and your willingness to step in and say “We will be there at these junctures”, and then honour that, provide the reports. I just want to give you some feedback, as someone who was there from the beginning to the end. Once again, the Auditor General's office has risen to the occasion, made very broad, sweeping commitments at the time, and then followed up and honoured them. And today is the second part of that.
So thank you again to the Office of the Auditor General for your professionalism and your assistance to all of us as we grapple with these issues.
If there's no further intervention, I will also extend a thank you to all of the staff who attended today. It was an excellent meeting. We appreciate your participation and look forward to your being here next time, probably much more than you look forward to it.
With that, we will excuse our witnesses and thank them again for their testimony today.
Members, we are ready to move into business. I will give a quick 15 seconds for our guests to vacate and allow us to begin our deliberations.
Mr. Saxton.
Conservative
Andrew Saxton Conservative North Vancouver, BC
Mr. Chair, since we're going to be discussing committee business, I'd like to move that we go in camera.
NDP
The Chair NDP David Christopherson
Thank you.
The motion to go in camera is in order. There's no debate.
All in favour of going in camera?
Liberal
Gerry Byrne Liberal Humber—St. Barbe—Baie Verte, NL
Can I ask for a recorded vote on this, Mr. Chair?
NDP
The Chair NDP David Christopherson
Yes, you may.
A recorded vote has been requested. I'll ask the clerk for a roll call.
The Clerk of the Committee Ms. Joann Garbig
The question is on the motion of Mr. Saxton.
(Motion agreed to: yeas, 7; nays 4)
NDP