Evidence of meeting #139 for Public Accounts in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was irb.
A video is available from Parliament.
10:30 a.m.
NDP
David Christopherson NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
That was on another matter. It's business. When we're finished this file—
10:30 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
You wanted to be in camera. I'll give you the last word here on both.
10:30 a.m.
NDP
David Christopherson NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
On both? Very good.
My understanding in talking with colleagues is that there was some interest in calling the witnesses back. I don't know that we want to move that motion. I think there was a notional date of June 6.
10:30 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
I think from what we've heard today.... That's what I thought your motion was going to deal with.
10:30 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
Yes, witnesses, there has been, from the government side and from all opposition sides as well, a request that we have you back. There are still some questions that need to be answered here, so if we can—
10:30 a.m.
Conservative
10:30 a.m.
Liberal
Alexandra Mendes Liberal Brossard—Saint-Lambert, QC
—I think this is a big issue for all of us, not just because we deal with it in our constituency offices but because it is a big issue for Canada, which is why we think it's appropriate that we invite you back, on June 6, maybe just for an hour—
10:30 a.m.
NDP
David Christopherson NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
If I might, Chair, this is internal business, but here we go.
I would suggest also that we find time to have a meeting of the committee to meet ahead of time. We've taken this big issue and tried to get our arms around it. I really think we need a strategic meeting prior to the next one. Additionally, I'd like to see somebody there from the Auditor General's office to help us so that we can home in on the questions that we all have and try to provide a framework for answers that will actually end up getting us somewhere. I will leave that with you, Chair.
Then I have one other motion on a related but different issue.
10:30 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
Yes. From what I understand, most parties, most sides, are supportive of this idea.
Can we invite you right now at this meeting for the morning of June 6? Good. It looks like everyone is going to be able to make it. Thank you.
All right, Mr. Christopherson. You had another point.
10:35 a.m.
NDP
David Christopherson NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Thank you. I'll read it in English, but I have it in both languages to be tabled.
I move:
That the committee condemns the underfunding of the Office of the Auditor General; that the committee recommend that funding to the OAG be increased by $10.8 million annually; and, that the committee report this recommendation to the House.
10:35 a.m.
Liberal
10:35 a.m.
Liberal
Alexandra Mendes Liberal Brossard—Saint-Lambert, QC
So we'll bring it back next time? I'll have amendments. I'll just let you know.
10:35 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
I think that's all we will go through today. We will look forward to the June 6 meeting.
I want the committee to stick around. We have 10 minutes to discuss a couple of issues from this meeting and others.
I want to thank you. The question really didn't come straight out, and maybe it will the next time. Canadians may be wondering why there has been a big surge of asylum seekers. I think that's one thing. When you see a spike like that, at that point in time maybe they need a little more information on why that is. Maybe that's for the next time.
I think from what we've heard today, there is a real concern among all members that we are going to have this backlog of asylum claims, and we want to see how this backlog can best be rectified.
Thank you for being here today. We're going to suspend.
We'll come back in camera. We would kindly ask all to exit as quickly as possible so that we can meet as a committee.
We'll suspend.
[Proceedings continue in camera]