Public Accounts committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am very pleased to be here to discuss chapter three of the Auditor General's recent report on Rehabilitating the Parliament Buildings. Mr. Chair, I would like to thank you and your fellow committee members for taking the time to visit some of the project

Public Accounts committee  Thank you for the question. I would say as a first point that Public Works and Government Services Canada is the custodian of the buildings, so we own the buildings and the grounds. We're not alone, frankly. The National Capital Commission has a role. The parliamentary partners

Public Accounts committee  I would say the crown vests the ownership in Public Works as a department. So it is ultimately--

Public Accounts committee  It's fair. I understand your point, and I agree with that. Ultimately, we're custodians of these buildings on behalf of Canadians. It's the same way when we carry out investments, we use taxpayers' money. Going back to the point of governance, not to be too long about this, I th

Public Accounts committee  A number of different firms are working on the Hill. In the case of the Library of Parliament—Mr. Wright will answer that question—the project was managed by the firm of the original architect, Mr. Fuller. More specifically, the work was carried out by PCL, Fuller and Pomerleau.

Public Accounts committee  Mr. Chair, we will arrange to get a copy of the report to the committee. As far as costs are concerned, perhaps my colleague here has some idea of what it cost to draw up this report.

Public Accounts committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate it. I won't be too long on this. Essentially, what we intend to do is provide ourselves—people collectively—with quality analysis. I've looked at the model elsewhere in the world, and it's complicated. I'll tell you, professionally speaking,

Public Accounts committee  Thank you for the question. I'll give one example and then refer specifically to the West Block. It's interesting that when we do long-term planning on the precinct, there are two elements that come to mind to me as the accounting officer and as I deal with my colleagues from

Public Accounts committee  If I may add briefly, Mr. Chairman, in the case of the kitchen, it is interesting to note that when we build a new facility, it's easier to have fewer surprises. It is a new facility with new equipment. So the project management characteristics are a bit easier to handle, if you

Public Accounts committee  I'll let Mr. Wright answer this.

Public Accounts committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for your question. As far as West Block goes, we are where we are, in the sense that the most important thing is being able to empty West Block and by the end of August relocate everything to La Promenade Building. As I say this, as we speak now, we have

Public Accounts committee  When we receive approval from Treasury Board, we will at that time have the money to proceed with that phase of the West Block.

Public Accounts committee  No. I understand the point, Mr. Chairman. We do what we need to do in Treasury Board submissions. Until Treasury Board ministers approve, I don't have an approval. But we have a program of work to carry through for the West Block plus other repairs in that second phase we're now

Public Accounts committee  I don't control Treasury Board, indeed. But Mr. Wright is also noting here, and I'll let him speak, that we have authority to proceed with demolition and asbestos. I'll let Mr. Wright say a few words on this.

Public Accounts committee  Yes. The answer is threefold. My minister is responsible for carrying out the analysis and developing various options. I am therefore the accounting officer supporting the minister. That line is direct. The senior assistant deputy minister given the responsibility on Friday, Mada