OGGO Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates met in a televised session at 9:03 this day, in Room 237-C, Centre Block, the Chair, Hon. Diane Marleau, presiding.

The Minister made a statement and answered questions.

At 10:18 , the sitting was suspended.

At 10:27 , the sitting resumed.

Raymonde Folco moved, — That Minister Baird provide a list of the Treasury Board meetings where the light rail project in Ottawa was discussed, with the dates of those meetings, the names of the participants in those meetings, and where they took place, and the names of the four Justice Department lawyers who gave him advice on Section 6.1.7 of the Agreement between the City of Ottawa and the Ottawa LRT Corp., dated September 15, 2006.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 4.

James Moore moved, — That the Committee dismiss any further consideration of the Ottawa Light Rail Project.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 6.

Charlie Angus moved, — That the Committee present the following report to the House :

Justice John Gomery appeared before the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates on March 13, 2008, testifying that the Federal Accountability Act took steps in the right direction on accountability and transparency, but that it was predominantly developed before his report was finished.

The Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates expresses the sincere thanks of this Committee and all Canadians to Justice Gomery for his work done on behalf of ordinary Canadians from coast to coast to coast to improve the accountability and transparency of the federal government.

The committee strongly recommends that the government:

- immediately embark on a formal study of Justice John Gomery’s 19 recommendations arising from the Commission of Inquiry into the Sponsorship Program and Advertising Activities, and report back to the House of Commons within 6 months on how it intends to address the recommendations, including those recommendations that it rejects; and,

-immediately take steps to enact section 227 of the Federal Accountability Act that calls for the establishment of a Public Appointments Commission; and,

- immediately move to implement Justice Gomery’s Recommendation 15 by bringing into force the provisions of the Lobbyists Registration Act that are not yet in force.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 11; NAYS: 0.

ORDERED, — That the Chair present the report to the House.

At 10:53 , the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.