Public Accounts Committee on Oct. 19th, 2017

[David Christopherson, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

Yes, please, of course.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Then we will entertain the motion to adjourn, or to suspend.

Ms. Morgan—and again, this question arises because we have to build a report—would you say that due to the new practices that you have implemented, information sharing with partner agencies has improved? I ask because in the Auditor General's report and our report there were recommendations made and you've said that you've had some new practices, that you're monitoring closely and your monitoring has changed. If the answer is yes—I see nodding heads—how has it improved?

[Marta Morgan]

Mr. Chair, I would like to say that we are very appreciative of the reports of the Auditor General and the committee in this area. We have made very significant improvements in our program integrity overall, as a result of the Auditor General's report and this committee's report. I do want to leave the committee with that message. In all of the areas that the Auditor General and the committee looked at, we have made significant progress, including with information sharing.

On the issue of information sharing, we have a much better system in place with our partners at the Canada Border Services Agency and at the RCMP. The CBSA routinely shares information with us on ongoing investigations. We have better processes in place for that. We've significantly improved our security check process with the RCMP, as well as our information sharing with them.

Across all of the issues that were raised in the Auditor General's report, whether they be problematic addresses, having the right risk indicators and really being able to test whether we have the right ones, and being able to share information with our partners, we have made significant progress. I feel that the Auditor General's report and the work of this committee has really pushed us to set a much higher bar in terms of program integrity, which we are very appreciative of.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Thank you.

You are telling me, then—the way I understand it—because of new practices that have come out of the Auditor General's report, you have without question seen an improvement in information sharing amongst the agencies.

[Marta Morgan]

Absolutely.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Thank you.

Does Ms. Shanahan move a motion to suspend or adjourn?

[Brenda Shanahan, Liberal, Châteauguay—Lacolle, QC]

I think it was to suspend.

[Chandra Arya, Liberal, Nepean, ON]

Yes, to suspend.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

We really have two motions. We have a motion that we bring in the law clerk on the issue, but we also have a motion to suspend or to adjourn.

I'm going to ask about Ms. Shanahan's motion asking for the law clerk to appear before our committee at the earliest convenience.

(Motion agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

We also have a motion from Mr. Christopherson, I believe.

[David Christopherson, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

Rather than adjourn this, I would suspend it pending the information that we'll get from the parliamentary law clerk.

I move that we suspend this hearing.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

All right, we have a motion to suspend.

(Motion agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

I want to thank the department for attending and for being here. Callbacks are not pleasant. We take the job of the committee seriously. Canadians expect that there are going to be Auditor General reports and follow-ups to them, and change.

Thank you for indicating that there is positive change.

We will ask you then to leave, and thank you for your attendance.

Committee, I'll ask you to stay. We will perhaps go back in camera for a moment.

[Proceedings continue in camera]