PACP Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts met at 3:32 p.m. this day, in Room 253-D, Centre Block, the Vice-Chair, Brian Fitzpatrick, presiding.

On motion of David Christopherson, it was agreed, — That the Committee do proceed first with the subjects listed under Committee Business for today's meeting.

It was agreed, — That the motion standing under the name of Mr. Wrzesnewskyj be withdrawn.

The Committee considered a request signed by six (6) members of the Committee pursuant to Standing Order 106(4) which reads:

We the undersigned members of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts request that a meeting of our Standing Committee be convened, pursuant to Standing Order 106(4), in order to question the individuals listed below in light of the scheduled release on June 15, 2007 of the report of Mr. David Brown on his inquiry into the RCMP Pension and Insurance fund.

Mr. David Brown

The Honourable Stockwell Day, P.C., M.P.

Mr. John Spice

Mr. Guiliano Zaccardelli

Mrs. Beverley Busson

Debate arose thereon.

On motion of David Christopherson, it was agreed, — That the Committee hold a meeting this coming Thursday, June 21, 2007, to study the recently released Report of the Independant Investigator into Matters Relating to RCMP Pension and Insurance Plan, and that the following witnesses be invited to appear:

The Honourable Stockwell Day, P.C., M.P.

Mr. David Brown

Mrs. Beverley Busson

Guiliano Zaccardelli

The Honourable Anne McLellan

Mr. John Spice.

Pierre Poilievre moved, — That the meeting be organized into two panels.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived on the following recorded division: YEAS: Mike Lake, Pierre Poilievre, David Sweet, John Williams — 4; NAYS: David Christopherson, Jean-Yves Laforest, Joe McGuire, Anthony Rota, Jean-Yves Roy, Judy Sgro, Borys Wrzesnewskyj — 7.

On motion of John Williams, it was agreed, — That in relation to the letter dated May 30, 2007 from Charles-Antoine St-Jean, Comptroller General of Canada concerning waivers to the publication of details related to ex gratia payments in the 2006 Public Accounts for:

Merchant Navy Veterans;

Heating fuel rebates;

Claims arising from the Indian Schools System

an annual waiver be given to Treasury Board provided that the gross amount and the total number of claims are reported to Parliament .

On motion of John Williams, it was agreed, — That the Committee Chairperson and staff be authorized to:

• Review Government responses to recommendations made by the Committee during the 39th Parliament,

• On the Committee’s behalf, acknowledge receipt of the responses where they respond clearly and completely to recommendations, or

• Request by letter further information or clarification, as required .

The Committee resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Laforest wich reads:

That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee address the report by the Auditor General of Canada presented on June 12, 2007, and undertake a study of the issues it raises by inviting the following to appear:

The Auditor General of Quebec, Renaud Lachance,

Sheila Fraser, Auditor General of Canada,

Lise Thibault, the former Lieutenant-Governor of Québec

and the Office manager who would be in charge of the expenses of the Lieutenant-governor’s Office.

Debate arose thereon.

The acting Chair ruled : That the debate on the motion be suspended pending some legal advice from the Parliamentary Law Clerk about the constitutionality of calling a Lieutenant-governor before this Committee and that the Committee should proceed to the orders of the day, Chapter 3, Large Information Technology Projects, of the November 2006 Report of the Auditor General of Canada.

Whereupon, Jean-Yves Laforest appealed the decision of the Chair.

The question: "Shall the decision of the Chair be sustained?" was put and the decision was sustained on the following recorded division: YEAS: David Christopherson, Mike Lake, Joe McGuire, Pierre Poilievre, Anthony Rota, Judy Sgro, David Sweet, John Williams — 8; NAYS: Jean-Yves Laforest, Jean-Yves Roy, Borys Wrzesnewskyj — 3.

Jean-Yves Roy moved, — That the meeting be adjourned.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived on the following recorded division: YEAS: Jean-Yves Laforest, Jean-Yves Roy — 2; NAYS: David Christopherson, Mike Lake, Joe McGuire, Pierre Poilievre, Anthony Rota, Judy Sgro, David Sweet, John Williams, Borys Wrzesnewskyj — 9.

Sheila Fraser, Ken Cochrane and Steven Poole made opening statements and answered questions.

Jim Alexander answered questions.

On motion of Pierre Poilievre, it was agreed, — That the sitting be extended untill 6:00 p.m.

At 6:03 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.