Public Safety Committee on March 25th, 2010

[Pushkar Godbole]

I don't have a specific answer to that question. I can say that in general in Quebec we purchase our food through the standard government procurement methods, which involve local standing offers, local purchases, and basically the same methods we use in other areas where we do not buy from CORCAN. I don't have a percentage as to how much of that food is local, but generally speaking it would be procured through the standard government tendering process. A small portion of the food that we buy for the Quebec region is in fact supplied by CORCAN, at present from the CORCAN Ontario--

[Maria Mourani, Bloc, Ahuntsic, QC]

I know that, I can read, it is written here.

Mr. Chairman, on a point of order.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Mark Holland]

Yes.

[Maria Mourani, Bloc, Ahuntsic, QC]

On a point of order.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Mark Holland]

I am listening.

[Maria Mourani, Bloc, Ahuntsic, QC]

I requested that Mr. Vaillancourt appear, because he would have been able to answer all of the questions that I have just put. Indeed, he knows the numbers. However, I am being sent someone who is not able to respond, apparently, because he is not the person in charge of the food provisionment system. I put very specific questions to Correctional Service Canada.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Mark Holland]

Yes, I understand, but...

[Maria Mourani, Bloc, Ahuntsic, QC]

I asked that Mr. Vaillancourt be present. We were told that the person who would be replacing Mr. Vaillancourt would answer all of our questions, but this individual is not able to do so.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Mark Holland]

Give me a moment. If I understand correctly, you asked to hear a witness who is not present, and the person's replacement is not able to answer your questions. This is very unfortunate, but...

[Maria Mourani, Bloc, Ahuntsic, QC]

I do not understand.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Mark Holland]

I could ask if it would be possible that another witness...

[Maria Mourani, Bloc, Ahuntsic, QC]

... return...

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Mark Holland]

I could ask them to return on this matter at our next meeting, because the committee will be pursuing its study of this issue next week.

[Maria Mourani, Bloc, Ahuntsic, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Mark Holland]

Would it be possible for those people able to answer Ms. Mourani's questions to attend next week?

[Ross Toller]

Again, I can't speak to their availability next week. We can pursue that quite quickly. The other thing we could do is that if there are elements that are not able to be answered today, we can undertake to get back to the committee. That's another option.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Mark Holland]

There are therefore two options, but...

[Maria Mourani, Bloc, Ahuntsic, QC]

I would prefer that Mr. Vaillancourt be present.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Mark Holland]

There is a problem, because a lot of witnesses will be attending next week. I believe there will be ten of them, but it is certainly very important that there be someone able to respond to your questions next week. Would it be possible to send them Ms. Mourani's questions and to have them supply answers to the committee as quickly as possible?

[Maria Mourani, Bloc, Ahuntsic, QC]

Mr. Chairman, they have all received these questions. The questions were forwarded long ago. I had made a specific request, but there was no response.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Mark Holland]

I understand full well. This is why I asked that a person able to answer your questions be present at next week's meeting. That is a valid point, I agree.

[Maria Mourani, Bloc, Ahuntsic, QC]

Thank you.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Mark Holland]

But, if possible, responses should also be given...

[Maria Mourani, Bloc, Ahuntsic, QC]

In written form, as well.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Mark Holland]

Yes, between now and the next meeting.

Ms. Glover.