PACC Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 31

Thursday, April 22, 2004

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts met in a televised session at 3:32 p.m. this day, in Room 237-C Centre Block, the Chair, John Williams, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Odina Desrochers, Marlene Jennings, Hon. Joe Jordan, Hon. Walt Lastewka, Dominic LeBlanc, Hon. Shawn Murphy, Alan Tonks, Judy Wasylycia-Leis and John Williams.

Acting Members present: Diane Ablonczy for Philip Mayfield, Hon. Larry Bagnell for Dominic LeBlanc, Michel Gauthier for Roger Gaudet, Michel Guimond for Roger Gaudet, Jason Kenney for Paul Forseth, Judi Longfield for Hon. Steve Mahoney, Peter MacKay for Peter Goldring, Hon. John McKay for Hon. Shawn Murphy, Dennis Mills for Hon. Maurizio Bevilacqua, Marcel Proulx for Beth Phinney, Hon. Robert Thibault for Hon. Steve Mahoney and Vic Toews for Val Meredith.

Associate Members present: Pat Martin.

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Brian O'Neal, Analyst . House of Commons: Rob Walsh, Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel.

Witnesses: As an Individual: Charles Guité.

Other Participants present: KPMG: Greg McEvoy, Forensic Auditor. As an Individual: Michael D. Edelson, Counsel to Charles Guité.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(g), the Committee resumed consideration of Chapter 3, the Sponsorship Program, Chapter 4, Advertising Activities and Chapter 5, Management of Public Opinion Research of the November 2003 Report of the Auditor General of Canada referred to the Committee on February 10, 2004.

The witness answered questions.

On motion of Judy Wasylycia-Leis, it was agreed, — That the Committee request Public Works and Government Services Canada to provide a detailed breakdown of the disbursements made under contract EP043-9-0037 with respect to the sponsorship of the Pan Am Games in Winnipeg in 1999. Of particular interest are details of the $1,591,420 in production costs.

Judy Wasylycia-Leis moved, — That the Standing Committee on Public Accounts call on the Honourable John Gomery of the Superior Court of Québec, or someone on his behalf, to appear before it to update the Committee on the progress of his Commission of Inquiry as it relates to the Auditor-General’s November 2003 Report.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 3; NAYS: 10.

Judy Wasylycia-Leis moved, — That the Standing Committee on Public Accounts call on Ms. Donna Achimov, former employee of Public Works and Government Services Canada, to appear before it.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

On motion of Joe Jordan, it was agreed, — That a waiver for the publication of details related to ex-gratia payments for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2004 be granted to the following:

Merchant marine veterans
Heating fuel rebates
Payments made to resolve claims arising from the Indian Schools system

on the provision that the gross amounts for each and the total number of claims are reported to Parliament.

At 5:39 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Elizabeth B. Kingston, Jeremy LeBlanc
Clerks of the Committee

2004/05/12 2:13 p.m.