Evidence of meeting #161 for Public Safety and National Security in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was rcmp.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:30 p.m.
Director General, Policing Policy, Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
The answer is no, because the board's goal is to make recommendations to the commissioner, not to have a public role.
It's not involved in the administration of a statute. It is not a review body. Parliament is not delegating to it the responsibility to administer a statute or carry out another role. Those are generally the things that attract the responsibility to make a public report.
4:30 p.m.
NDP
Matthew Dubé NDP Beloeil—Chambly, QC
If RCMP members wished to lodge a human resources complaint based on the points in the board's mission that deal with human resources, they could do so by going through the union, as the situation evolved. Otherwise, they could go through the CRCC's other oversight mechanism. RCMP members have access to those mechanisms if ever they want to register a complaint.
4:30 p.m.
Director General, Policing Policy, Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
That's right.
4:30 p.m.
NDP
Matthew Dubé NDP Beloeil—Chambly, QC
Okay.
Here are my last two questions. The management advisory board's mission is stated in paragraph 45.18(2) of the amended act. In paragraph 45.18(2)(a), you will find the implementation of transformation and modernization plans. In paragraph 45.18(2)(b), the effective and efficient use of resources; and in paragraph 45.18(2)(e), the development and the implementation of corporate and strategic plans.
Why were these terms chosen? This is all well and good for the current government, but it could also lead to workforce cuts or reductions that would have a harmful impact on the very employees that the board is apparently supposed to be championing.
4:35 p.m.
Jacques Talbot Counsel, Department of Justice
What is described here are the normal activities for any organization. The terminology is neutral and it applies to all organizations, be they departments, agencies or, in this case, the RCMP.
These are things that the RCMP is currently doing and will have to continue to do in 10 years and in 100 years.
4:35 p.m.
NDP
Matthew Dubé NDP Beloeil—Chambly, QC
So I understand that the board's mission will be set based on the objectives of the government in office, with the resources...
4:35 p.m.
Counsel, Department of Justice
The board's mission will not change with time. It will have to notify and advise the commissioner based on the reality the commissioner will have to face.
4:35 p.m.
NDP
Matthew Dubé NDP Beloeil—Chambly, QC
It could be a financial or political reality, or some other kind.
4:35 p.m.
Counsel, Department of Justice
That will depend on the government in place at that time.
4:35 p.m.
NDP
Matthew Dubé NDP Beloeil—Chambly, QC
Here is my last question.
We haven't yet had the opportunity to study Bill C-98 in depth, because it was tabled yesterday. Will it affect the section of the omnibus bill that we are currently studying?
4:35 p.m.
Director General, Policing Policy, Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
No. Nothing here would change the role of what's proposed in the following bill, or vice versa.
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
Michel Picard Liberal Montarville, QC
Thank you, gentlemen, for taking part in this exercise.
Is it common practice for a government institution or agency to use advisory boards like this one?
May 8th, 2019 / 4:35 p.m.
Director General, Policing Policy, Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Could I ask you to repeat the question, please?
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
Michel Picard Liberal Montarville, QC
Is it common practice for government institutions and independent agencies to use advisory boards as part of their management?
4:35 p.m.
Director General, Policing Policy, Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
What is being proposed for the RCMP is indeed new. However, there are many advisory boards within the federal government.
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
Michel Picard Liberal Montarville, QC
Do any of the advisory boards include the minister or a minister's representative among their members?
4:35 p.m.
Director General, Policing Policy, Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
No ministers, but there is often a representative, usually the deputy minister.
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
Michel Picard Liberal Montarville, QC
So we can conclude that, among the members selected, there will be a member of cabinet, either the deputy minister or a person representing the minister. Is that correct?
4:35 p.m.
Counsel, Department of Justice
I want to point out that, in this case, it's a member who will not have the right to vote, so more of an observer than a member.
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
Michel Picard Liberal Montarville, QC
Does the presence of the minister, through a delegate, not add to the balance of power within the advisory board simply because of the minister's presence, given that the RCMP is still trying to have independent management?
4:35 p.m.
Counsel, Department of Justice
In fact, observers will be available to board members to answer their questions, provide assistance and explain certain points or issues on which members are called upon to provide advice to the commissioner.
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal John McKay
As colleagues know, the bells are ringing. I propose that we go for another 15 minutes, if that's all right with people. They are half-hour bells.
Up until about three seconds ago, I had thought that there were going to be no amendments or recommendations. Ms. Sahota has some recommendations, and I would like to give the committee some chance to at least absorb those recommendations and think about them, so we can continue with questioning and come back another day and do that, or we can look at these amendments.
I've been working on the assumption that the opposition doesn't have any amendments or recommendations.