OGGO Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates met at 11:00 a.m. this day, in Room 308 West Block, the Chair, Leon E. Benoit, presiding.

Jennifer Stoddart made a statement and answered questions.

At 12:01 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:07 p.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

It was agreed, — That pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) the Committee recommend that the President of the Treasury Board Secretariat establish criteria for appointing Chief Executive Officers, Directors and Chairs of Crown Corporations, as well as Foundations, Agencies and Commissions; that the requirements for the appointment processes be referred to this Committee for review by February 15, 2005; and that the President of the Treasury Board be invited to appear before this Committee for a discussion of the requirements and their application.

The Chair presented the Third Report from the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure which read as follows:

THIRD REPORT OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE ON AGENDA AND PROCEDURE

The Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates has the honour to present its THIRD REPORT.

The Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates met on Monday, December 13, 2004, and has agreed to recommend the following:

It was agreed, — That the Committee proceed to the consideration of the draft report on the appointment process for top executives, including members of the Board, of Crown Corporations, Agencies and Foundations On Bill C-11.

It was agreed, — That the Committee invite the following groups to appear after the winter break:

The Association of Professional Executives of the Public Service (APEX);

Staff Relations Representative Program (S.R.R.) from the Office of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police;

Officials from the Department of Justice;

Independent Legal Counsel / Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel;

Association of Canadian Financial Officers;

Mme Joanne Bouvier, Former Special Assistant in Minister Gagliano's Office;

Allan Cutler;

Corporal Reid;

Joanna Gualtieri.

It was agreed, —That the Committee invite the following groups to submit a written brief:

Canadian Newspaper Association;

People's Forum;

Democracy Watch;

Canadian Opportunities Partnership;

Civil Liberties Association, National Capital Region.

It was agreed, — That the Committee invite the following witnesses to appear again as a follow up to their initial appearance: The President of the Public Service Commission, the Public Service Alliance of Canada and the Public Service Integrity Officer

It was agreed, — That the Committee consider Bill C-8 following the winter break.

It was agreed, — That the Committee invite the Auditor General to appear to discuss chapters in her report which are relevant to the Committee’s mandate.

It was agreed, — That the Committee respond to the letter of the Government House Leader concerning prior parliamentary review of appointments in order to reserve the option of having any of the available appointments referred to Committee for prior parliamentary review.

It was agreed, — That the Committee request that the Government House Leader provide more information regarding the appointment positions.

Respectfully submitted

Leon Benoit

Chair

The Committee commenced consideration of a draft report on the appointment process for top executives, including members of the Board, of Crown Corporations, Agencies and Foundations.

It was agreed, — That the Chair, Clerk and analysts be authorized to make such grammatical and editorial changes as may be necessary without changing the substance of the report.

It was agreed, — That the Chair or his designate deposit the report with the Clerk pursuant to the Order of the House of Friday, December 10, 2004.

It was agreed, — That the Committee append to its report a supplementary or dissenting opinion from the Liberal Party provided that it is no more than 2 pages in length and submitted electronically to the Clerk of the Committee, no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday December 16, 2004.

At 1:18 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.