Public Accounts committee  Madam Chair, we don't have particular information about where the departmental audit committees were with respect to 2003 and 2007 audits. I can confirm that the departmental audit committees of which I am aware, particularly National Defence since I've been to their departmental audit committee meetings—are committed to following up on the action plans, particularly the current action plans, the most recent audits we have done.

Public Accounts committee  Madam Chair, I'm an auditor. I and my teams will be satisfied when we actually go in, take a look and see that it is in fact the case. I am encouraged, though, by the statements from my colleagues at the table about their commitment to updating the database. I think that at some future point, given the importance of heritage properties to Canadians generally, it is highly likely that we're going to go back and take a look at the implementation of the recommendations by the department.

Public Accounts committee  Madam Chair, thank you for this opportunity to present the results of our report on conserving federal heritage properties. In this audit, we looked at physical assets that the government safeguards on behalf of Canadians—in this case, the country's national historic sites and heritage buildings.

Public Accounts committee  Mr. Chair, I'll ask my colleague, Ms. McCalla, to answer that question.

Public Accounts committee  Mr. Chair, thank you for this opportunity to discuss our fall 2018 report on physical security at Canada's missions abroad. This audit examined whether Global Affairs Canada had physical security measures in place at its missions for the effective protection of its staff and assets.

Public Accounts committee  Yes, we have.

Public Accounts committee  I don't think we actively do it, but we have participated in it.

Public Accounts committee  No, Mr. Chair.

Public Accounts committee  At this point, we have no current plans to follow up.

Public Accounts committee  Mr. Chair, I think the department has already more or less stated it has both business aspects and public necessity to it.

Public Accounts committee  Mr. Chair, I think the philosophy behind the programs of the department is that they're looking to private funds to expand broadband. So when we looked at the program, we were looking at how you maximize private funding. There will be cases where private funds are not going to be made available because of the isolation of the communities, perhaps, and the cost.

Public Accounts committee  I think that, at the time, we were looking at how the program was designed. We were looking at making recommendations that would help to ensure that the department achieved its goal, which was to try to maximize the private funds. At this point, with the knowledge we have, I'd say they're being fairly successful at achieving that goal.

Public Accounts committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair, for this opportunity to discuss our fall 2018 report on connectivity in rural and remote areas. Joining me at the table is Philippe Le Goff, the principal responsible for the audit. This audit focused on whether Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, according to their respective roles and responsibilities, monitored the state of connectivity and developed and implemented a plan to meet the connectivity needs of Canadians in remote and rural areas.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Madam Chair, I think in the larger context, yes, it's going to take some time to judge the results. In the shorter term, I think what we would be looking for if we were to conduct another audit would be sustained management attention to following through on the actions the departments have stated here today that they have undertaken.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  No, this isn't new.