Public Accounts Committee on March 7th, 2024

[Jean Yip, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

I'm just questioning the relevance of this.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

Thank you, Ms. Yip. Off the top, I think Ms. Kusie does have wide latitude.

Ms. Kusie, it's back to you, please.

[Stephanie Kusie, Conservative, Calgary Midnapore, AB]

Thank you.

It's very relevant, because—

[Jean Yip, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

This is a study on ArriveCAN.

[Stephanie Kusie, Conservative, Calgary Midnapore, AB]

That's right—

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

Just one second, Ms. Kusie.

[Stephanie Kusie, Conservative, Calgary Midnapore, AB]

—and in this study we're discussing conflicts of interest.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

I'm sorry, Ms. Kusie. It's not my intent to cut you off. I will let you finish up.

We are now actually debating the motion before us on the Treasury Board president. You have the last word. Do you want it back again, or should I move on?

[Stephanie Kusie, Conservative, Calgary Midnapore, AB]

I would like to continue.

I am providing another compelling reason that we need the President of the Treasury Board in front of this committee.

[Iqra Khalid, Liberal, Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON]

On a point of order, Mr. Chair—

[Stephanie Kusie, Conservative, Calgary Midnapore, AB]

It seems to me, Mr. Chair, that they are trying to prevent me—

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

I'll hear the point of order.

[Stephanie Kusie, Conservative, Calgary Midnapore, AB]

Go ahead, please, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

Ms. Khalid, you are next.

[Iqra Khalid, Liberal, Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON]

I'm sorry, Mr. Chair. I was just wondering if you wanted to excuse any witnesses in the room at this point, if that's okay. I know that we've gone over time. I just wanted to make sure they were not sitting around.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

Well, Ms. Khalid, you have the last spot, so I'm ready to excuse them if you like. I can turn to government members or to you in particular: Would you like me to excuse the witnesses?

[Iqra Khalid, Liberal, Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON]

I think it would probably be best for us to excuse the witnesses. I don't want to keep them waiting.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

Very good.

Ms. Reza and Mr. Hayes and your teams, thank you for coming in today. I appreciate it. I too am pleased that you're being excused so that you can get on with your day. Thank you very much. We'll see you all again.

Ms. Kusie, the floor is yours.

[Stephanie Kusie, Conservative, Calgary Midnapore, AB]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

I think it's unfortunate that they're being excused, because I think they would be interested and appreciative that I am actually bringing forward another rationale for the appearance of the President of the Treasury Board. It's related to the action they indicated they took today on behalf of the information we found out this week about Dalian.

As I was saying, the President of the Treasury Board did not disclose to the Ethics Commissioner that her husband was a director on LifeLabs. As I mentioned previously as well, prior to the pandemic, there was only $150,000 in contracts, yet during the pandemic, as I was indicating before I was interrupted, on June 23, 2020, $66.3 million was awarded to LifeLabs, but it did not stop there: On August 20 we saw an additional $1.9 million awarded to LifeLabs.

I say to all Canadians—and I would have said to the witnesses, were they still there—is it not accurate that the President of the Treasury Board, the individual who oversees the public servants and who is supposed to be a leader, should set this standard and should be held to the same standard and ethical code that this deputy minister, whom we just dismissed, was so proud to indicate that she held five members to?

I think this is another very compelling reason, Mr. Chair, for us to have the President of the Treasury Board. In addition to the oversight of ministers, which is, as I said previously, inextricably connected to the outcomes, to the results, for which we determined that Canadians did not receive value for money, as was presented by the deputy minister here today, this is another compelling piece of information and evidence for which the President of the Treasury Board should be held accountable.

With that, Mr. Chair, I will conclude. I would encourage all committee members to support this motion for transparency, not only for the work that is done and the value of tax dollars for Canadians but also to ensure that these ministers, who are inextricably tied to their outcomes, are also held accountable to the highest of standards.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

Thank you very much.

Ms. Khalid, it's over to you now, please.

[Iqra Khalid, Liberal, Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON]

Thanks very much. I appreciate you and the time that we have to talk about this very important issue.

First and foremost, I want to be very clear that I have no issues with any minister coming before this committee to answer questions. I have no issues with holding members of our government, including bureaucracy, to account for what has happened here.

I am, however, concerned about efficiency. The Conservatives have really gone on this massive fishing expedition. Unfortunately, they haven't caught any fish so far. I'm wondering what is the best—

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

We caught one that's about $60 million in size.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

Mr. Barrett, would you like to be added to the speaking list?

[Iqra Khalid, Liberal, Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON]

Mr. Barrett, would you like to be added to the speaking list?

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

Is there an echo in here?