Transport Committee on Dec. 2nd, 2009

[Yaprak Baltacioglu]

Any billings; it's partly because they know that there are two years to it. Their accounting systems have to catch up and they have to do their due diligence. We're waiting for quite a big amount of activity, hopefully in the new year, because on the ground the reporting is that a lot of projects are under way. We can tell that from the progress reports we've been receiving.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

Normal commercial terms are net 30 days, and I know that government sometimes works longer than that, because I used to sell things to the government.

In this particular case, though, are there any provincial or municipal governments that have any bills outstanding more than 30 days with the government? Is everything paid up to date?

[John Forster]

I don't know. I'd have to check the specifics to give you a categorical answer, but generally once an invoice is clean and accurate and we've reviewed it.... With the first round of stimulus claims that we got in September, because it was the very first time using a new system under a new program, it took some time to go back and forth with them because there was some missing information. But once it's clean and the program has signed it off, then the finance people will look at it.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

That's really my question. It's once it's a clean application.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

I will have to interrupt the proceedings. There's been a vote called, so I will thank our guests today for their information and wish them good luck in the future.

Thank you.

On a point of order, quickly, Mr. Volpe.

[Joe Volpe, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

Mr. Chair, the deputy and her staff have made allusions to specific documentation they were going to make available to individual members of the committee. I'm assuming that as per the norm it comes to you and then to the rest of us.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Yes.

[Joe Volpe, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Thank you.

The meeting is adjourned.