Government Operations committee  The coordinator position is held by Ward P.D. Elcock, and he was appointed in October 2007, and his mandate is to do security planning cross-jurisdictionally and for the whole-of-government approach for both the Olympics and the G-8. His funding runs over four different years at a total forecast now of $5.4 million.

Government Operations committee  Previously in a budget there was a decision that starting in 2008-09 there would be a cut of 0.7% on all departments over $40 million to meet a fiscal deficit, so in 2009-10, already reflected in the main estimates, is a cut of $800,000. However, there is an ongoing fiscal deficit, so in order to meet that, there is a further cut of $300,000 this year.

Government Operations committee  Yes, our requests for ATIP have gone up significantly over the last probably five to ten years. We are receiving an ever-growing number of consultations. As you can imagine, the requests that come into PCO are relatively complicated because we deal with fairly sensitive and complex files.

Government Operations committee  I think that Simon could answer your question.

Government Operations committee  Certainly there is an actual organization inside the PCO that is responsible, and they do support the Prime Minister's committee on public service renewal. They have a broader mandate to actually look at leadership and the appointment of individuals into the public service at the senior levels.

Government Operations committee  From my perspective, I'm responsible for the internal management for PCO. I'm sure some of the issues you raised do exist right across the government. However, within PCO itself, I'm not aware of any particular issues around either the flow of individuals coming into or leaving the organization.

Government Operations committee  Good morning, Mr. Chair. I am pleased to meet with the members of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates. As you mentioned, I am accompanied by Simon Kennedy, Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet, Plans and Consultation. We are here today to talk about the 2009-10 Main Estimates for the Privy Council Office.

Government Operations committee  No.

Government Operations committee  Yes, I am.

Government Operations committee  Thank you. I have a very short statement that is specifically geared to the supplementary estimates, and then I have colleagues here who will address the budget issues.

Government Operations committee  Good morning, Mr. Chair. We are pleased to meet with the members of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates. I am accompanied by Simon Kennedy, Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Plans and Consultations) and by Tim Sargent, Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Liaison Secretariat for Macroeconomic Policy.

Government Operations committee  Are you talking about the organization inside PCO, or are you talking about the secretariat?

Government Operations committee  Actually, I just got confirmation for Mr. Holland's question. Last year we spent only $84,000.

Government Operations committee  Not really; it's the Treasury Board that handles shared systems, and I'm not entirely sure—

Government Operations committee  There may be someone at the Privy Council who knows the details, but—