Government Operations committee  We have looked at the cost, or we are in the process of looking at the revenue-generating measure of an additional tax on big banks. I think we've already done that analysis, which was announced in the budget. To be honest, Mr. Johns, we've done so many reports on various topics

Government Operations committee  We have asked the government for detailed information on the parameters of the dental care program that was announced in the budget. We have been told that the details we need are not yet available. In fact, we have been told that these are cabinet confidences, so we have not yet

Government Operations committee  My understanding is that all the revenues for a carbon levy—the vast majority, at the very least, if not the totality—are to be redistributed to households in the provinces in which they are raised.

Government Operations committee  We did attempt to cost the impacts of climate change on the Canadian economy between now and 2100. We have estimated, in our best attempt at estimating, the most likely impacts of climate change on the Canadian economy. What we have not done is compare a world where nobody acts o

Government Operations committee  Right now, I don't see measures to bring down the government debt. What we see are deficits for the foreseeable future. These deficits will continue to increase the federal debt. What we are seeing, though, is a commitment by the government to reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio. So t

Government Operations committee  That's a debatable question. Some would say that people are getting tremendous value for their money; others would say not. It depends on the individual profile. What I can speak to are performance targets that departments themselves choose and report on. We find that, generally

Government Operations committee  It's something that we considered a year ago, I think, back when we knew some parameters. It was before all the recent changes were announced. At the time, we estimated that the cost of the gun buyback would be several hundred million dollars. You'll have to forgive me for not re

Government Operations committee  It's probably something we could do if the committee wishes us to do so.

Government Operations committee  If the committee wishes to do so and passes a motion, we'd be happy to do that.

Government Operations committee  When there's a tension like that, it's up to the bank and the government to discuss it to the extent possible, but there's not that much to discuss when the government decides its fiscal policy and gives a mandate to the Bank of Canada. As you pointed out, when the government's

Government Operations committee  I haven't calculated that. It would probably be a bit more expensive, given the demographic composition of the Canadian population. The 10% top-up for those 75 and older is estimated to cost $2.6 billion in the current year, so it would probably be at least that.

Government Operations committee  Off the top of my head, I don't have that answer.

Government Operations committee  Yes, we have done a couple of reports on tax enforcement and the tax gaps. There are quite a few reports on our website on all of these issues.

Government Operations committee  It probably could reduce the amount of consulting that is necessary, but I think that hiring the right types of public servants would probably also contribute to reducing the need for consultants. It's not just a matter of training. I think it's that, but also a matter of recrui

Government Operations committee  Lapsed spending occurs when a department does not spend all of its allocated spending, the spending that Parliament has authorized it to spend. It can occur for a variety of reasons. It can be due to delayed proposals or a delay in acquisition. Off the top of my head, usually th