Evidence of meeting #35 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 inventory.
A video is available from Parliament.
5:05 p.m.
Deputy Minister, Department of National Defence
We'll be happy to provide it when you're back after the holidays.
5:05 p.m.
NDP
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
Are we good with that? All right, there's consensus on that.
Thank you very much.
Go ahead, Mr. Forster.
5:05 p.m.
Deputy Minister, Department of National Defence
Can I just say that I appreciate it, and we'll be happy to provide that? We share the same goal on accountability. I'm happy to come here and be accountable. I am responsible for the whole department and stuff that's gone on before me. We share the same goal.
I don't want to be wasting money on parts I don't need either. I have lots of demands to fill, and if I can free up resources in managing our inventory better, boy, that's near the top of my list. We'll be happy to provide an explanation of where we were in the early plan, what changed, and why it changed. We have no problem saying—
5:05 p.m.
NDP
David Christopherson NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
I will just emphasize again that if there's been a screw-up or two or if something wasn't as it should be, please say so, because it will save us all a lot of effort. The harsh part of this, I hope, is over, and if we get a report that clearly tells us that you've given us a forthright answer to all the questions and satisfied the concerns we have, then, Chair, my hope is that's the end of it, and we'll continue to see the kind of progress that we all want.
That's our goal. I think the deputy is saying the same thing. I'm feeling fairly optimistic, Chair, that we're going to get that. It's now in your hands.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
All right. Thank you very much for attending today. We'll look forward to that report.
Thank you very much.
We're going to suspend for about five minutes to allow our visitors and our witnesses to take their exit. We're going to come back for about five minutes on an item of committee business. We'll be in camera at that point. Please don't leave.
[Proceedings continue in camera]