Public Accounts Committee on Nov. 1st, 2022

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

That is true.

You're right. However, we do know what the topics of these reports are. It really is difficult for the clerk to set up the schedule in two or three days. We have to give him more time because if we invite witnesses with only 48 or 72 hours’ notice, it's tight for them, too.

I know that Mr. Desjarlais has an interest in marine safety, for example.

If you want to stick with just the reports that have been tabled, you will see there are a number in the draft work sheet that are still outstanding.

I'll leave it up to the subcommittee to decide if they want to limit themselves to reports that have been tabled. I think we should consider ones that are coming, based on the topics, but that is up to the committee to decide.

It sounds like there are more reports coming in early December. Is it four reports, roughly? Yes, it's about four reports.

[Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné, Bloc, Terrebonne, QC]

I have a follow-up question.

If the subcommittee meets on November 16 or 17, for example, that would at least give us enough time to read the reports that will be tabled on the 15.

Does that give the clerk enough time to summon witnesses for November 22? They would have had five days’ notice.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

Mr. Clerk, you can be totally honest. You can tell them what you tell me.

[The Clerk of the Committee, Mr. Cédric Taquet]

It's difficult to say in the case of departmental officials. Obviously, it depends on their availability. You mustn't forget that we always summon the persons responsible for the audits, and these are always deputy ministers who have a packed diary. With two days notice, it's sometimes difficult.

I always abide by the decisions that are taken by committee members. If a decision is taken, I follow through. We mustn't forget, however, that with the resources now at our disposal for hybrid meetings, it can be very hard to organize committee meetings outside of our usual Tuesday and Friday timeslots.

Does that answer your question?

[Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné, Bloc, Terrebonne, QC]

Yes.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

Go ahead, Monsieur Desjarlais.

[Blake Desjarlais, NDP, Edmonton Griesbach, AB]

In reviewing a list of the studies that we could take up, Nathalie mentioned about the timing—

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

Again, you can come back from the subcommittee, and if everyone decides they want to stick to what has been public, you can do that.

There are four reports coming, and then it looks like a month after that there will be another four as well. As you know, it takes time to go through them line by line. Let's save that discussion for Friday. We can consider what's on offer and what's coming.

If that's good and there are no other comments, I have one more point. You're not excused yet.

I've been working with the auditor's office to settle on a date for our meeting off the parliamentary precinct. I've canvassed most of you, although not all of you, but I'm hoping that this is going to work.

I'm proposing to meet up at around 4:30 on November 14, which is the Monday that we come back. The people I've canvassed to date are clear from committees. Ms. Bradford has a committee at 6:30 and we will be finished by around 6:30, so she might have to slip out a few minutes early. My proposal is to start at 5:00 and wrap up just before 6:30 or at 6:30.

Is that okay?

What's more, it would be in Quebec.

[Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné, Bloc, Terrebonne, QC]

That would be for dinner.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

Yes, and it would be in Quebec.

[Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné, Bloc, Terrebonne, QC]

Okay. So we're looking at Monday night.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

Yes, because it would be even harder on a Tuesday or a Wednesday. And then Thursday, most of us go home.

[Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné, Bloc, Terrebonne, QC]

You know, we have a lovely tradition in Quebec: nobody works on a Monday night. Finding a restaurant that is open...

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

I don't know how to answer that.

Personally, I am not happy that the committee meets on Fridays and, just like you, I try to take Monday off.

[Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné, Bloc, Terrebonne, QC]

I was talking about how hard it is to find a restaurant in Quebec. They are all shut on Monday.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

I've already found one.

[Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné, Bloc, Terrebonne, QC]

Really? A McDonald's?

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

I've found a restaurant that is open. What's more, there's a private room. That would work perfectly.

Oh, I thought you were talking about the Bloc québécois...

[Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné, Bloc, Terrebonne, QC]

The Bloc québécois works 24 hours a day. You should know that, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

Yes. Sorry.

I have found a restaurant. And it has a private room.

[Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné, Bloc, Terrebonne, QC]

All right.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

It's perfect.

I'll send a notification to all of your offices so you can put it in your calendar for Monday, November 14. I'm going to propose that we meet up between 4:30 and 5:00 and have a real start for five o'clock. Don't aim for 5:00 and get there at 5:10, because we'll be shortchanging Ms. Bradford. We'll wrap up after 90 minutes.

With your permission, I'd like to adjourn this meeting, unless there are any other comments.

We'll have a subcommittee on Friday, and this meeting is adjourned.