Evidence of meeting #96 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 assets.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Rémi Massé Liberal Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC
Something Mr. Deltell asked you earlier caught my attention. He asked you about your top priorities, taking into account the resources you have available and the work you have to do.
Priority-wise, I'd like to know how you will be spending the additional funding our government gave you—in other words, the $55 million over two years.
What exactly will that money be used for?
Will it go towards any projects you haven't mentioned?
Chief Executive Officer, National Capital Commission
No. All the projects currently under consideration are those that present the most immediate risk. That's what we are going to start with, no exceptions. It is further to a directive from Treasury Board.
Liberal
Rémi Massé Liberal Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC
With respect to 24 Sussex, I know you're conducting all kinds of analyses and studies.
Will any of the additional funding go towards the improvement of the residence at 24 Sussex?
Chief Executive Officer, National Capital Commission
None of the money will go towards official residences. The cost of all official residence projects will come out of our capital budget of $22.7 million. We normally spend $6 million to $7 million a year on official residences.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
Thank you, Mr. Massé.
That's the last question. I have a couple of little questions based on the news today.
In one of the papers—I think it's the Citizen—Kelly Egan wrote in regard to Rideau Hall that our Governor General Payette has been unable to move into it since she was sworn in as the Governor General.
They've cited security concerns. My question would be in regard to that. Egan says, “Citing security concerns, they've declined to say where she has been 'accommodated'”. Are there security concerns with these residences? I understand why they don't want to say where she's being accommodated, for security reasons. Is it simply an update that's going on at Rideau Hall?
Are there ever security concerns with our official residences that would ever shut down...where you guys would be called in to respond?
Chief Executive Officer, National Capital Commission
As I said earlier, we need two things to keep these residences up to date. We need funding, and we need access. At the time of her appointment, the Governor General was gracious enough to give us some time to have access to Rideau Hall to do some major work, mainly relating to putting air conditioning in. When she stays at Rideau Hall, the Queen has had an air conditioner in her window for all these years.
The project that Her Excellency allowed us to undertake actually puts in air conditioning, and you can see out the window again. Those necessary works went ahead, as well as some renewal of the corridors. Those works have been effected, and we're in discussions with the OSGG about the transition.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
Right. I guess I'll reword my question. Anyone who was at 24 Sussex recognized that that residence needed a massive upgrade. There's no question about that.
If there were security concerns.... I've often thought that we had an attack in 2001, so do you have anything to...? Is that just straight for the RCMP? Do you ever cite security issues with our Governor General's residence? Is it only the RCMP that worries about that, or does that form part of your considerations as well?
Chief Executive Officer, National Capital Commission
I understand your question. We work very closely with the RCMP. Our staff have worked closely with the RCMP for decades. Of course, they are the lead on security, and they would comment on any matters related to security. Most matters related to the security of the official residences are confidential, obviously. I can say that we are part of the threat and risk assessment process that goes on for these residences, and our capital program is sometimes adjusted to reflect the needs of the RCMP.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
When can we expect our Governor General to be back in Rideau Hall?
Chief Executive Officer, National Capital Commission
I really think it's a question for the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General. I think these are private matters, and I won't—
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
I mean, we know that it's been mentioned that 24 Sussex may be a 10-year renovation?
Chief Executive Officer, National Capital Commission
Yes. There's nothing comparable to 24 Sussex. We effected some improvements at Rideau Hall. They're not transformational improvements; they're good life-cycle improvements to prepare for her move-in. It's up to the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General to work with her on a timetable.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
Did I understand correctly that you did acquire land in 2008? Is that when you purchased the 100 hectares, or not? Maybe I misunderstood.
Chief Executive Officer, National Capital Commission
Since 2008, we have acquired one-third, or actually quite a bit more now than one-third, of the private property held inside Gatineau Park. That has been done with the revenues from sales of other lands.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
All right, so in spite of the largest global recession ever, you were able to acquire land that you felt you needed in the NCC?
Chief Executive Officer, National Capital Commission
Correct. Again, it's on a risk-management basis, such that if the land is ecologically at risk, we try to get it. If it's at risk of being developed, we purchase it. In some cases, we do acquire private residences where there are waterfronts and elements that need to be brought back into the park fabric.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
During the recession, did I understand that you participated in the DRAP, the deficit reduction action plan?
Conservative
Chief Executive Officer, National Capital Commission
Yes, I believe we largely met all of the goals. There may have been one or two positions where intended retirements did not occurr, but essentially, yes, all of the conditions were met.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
I want to thank you for doing that, and all crown corporations. When policy is given, it's more difficult. It's always easy when there's money and we need things done, like the infrastructure changes that are going. That's one thing, but it's always difficult to manage through difficult times, and I want to thank you for meeting that deficit reduction action plan. Sometimes that's important as well.
I also want to thank you for coming today and sharing with us both the audit and additional information to help us understand this crown corporation. When you leave here, perhaps you would want to give us more information. I know that Mr. Massé has asked a question in regard to the values of some of these properties that may be sold. I'm not sure about Mr. MacGregor, Mr. Deltell, or others. Please do get that information to our clerk, so that if we need it for part of our report, we'll have it.
Thank you very much for being here.