Environment committee  In terms of a central directory of federal real property, it's only for building conditions. It doesn't have anything specific to heritage. Custodial departments would have to gather that information themselves and proactively add it, but it is something we possibly could consider for future addition to the reporting requirements for the centralized real property inventory.

Environment committee  No. Not that I am aware.

Environment committee  It's a legal instrument, mostly, about ministerial administration of real property and conveyance. Justice could probably speak more accurately than I can, but it's silent on heritage as far as I know.

Environment committee  There are other things. The Treasury Board can impose certain conditions on particular transactions, or on a department. I can only talk in generalities. We have done that in other areas—financial management for example. I just don't have the background.

Environment committee  As far as heritage goes, I don't have that background. I don't know if Kevin is aware of any from his firm.

Environment committee  For a department that didn't make best efforts, is that what you're talking about?

Environment committee  I've only been in the job for less than year, but as far as I know, for that particular incident it hasn't, but that's something I can check on and get back to you.

Environment committee  Right.

Environment committee  There could be some work to do, maybe with PSPC from their perspective, on standardized clauses.

Environment committee  I can also speak about Treasury Board contracting policy. There's nothing specific in policy right now, but certainly departments can put those kinds of clauses within their contracts. I think that's something that is certainly possible within contract law.

Environment committee  Thank you for your question. I will answer in English, if you don't mind.

Environment committee  For departments that don't respect the policy, the lever the Treasury Board has is related to the deputy's delegation. Departments have delegations to do things under their own authority and others for which they require Treasury Board authority. If we are aware of a department that is flagrantly not respecting Treasury Board policy, there is an opportunity to recommend to the Treasury Board that this deputy's delegated authority be reduced.

Environment committee  Deputy heads are responsible for compliance. We have an overall government-wide monitoring role. We're limited by how many lines of sight we have into departments and what they're actually doing and that's one of our challenges. For example, we know we have some information on the building condition of federal properties, but not necessarily on what they're doing in relation to heritage conservation.

Environment committee  Thank you, Madam Chair. My name is Kathleen Owens. I'm the assistant comptroller general for assets and acquired services within the Treasury Board Secretariat. It's an honour to be here today to talk to you about Treasury Board policy as it relates to heritage considerations in the management of federal real property.