PACC Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 6

Thursday, February 26, 2004

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts met in a televised session at 9:08 a.m. this day, in Room 237-C Centre Block, the Chair, John Williams, presiding.

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

Acting Members present: Gerald Keddy for Philip Mayfield, Jason Kenney for Val Meredith, Gary Lunn for Paul Forseth, Peter MacKay for Peter Goldring, Dennis Mills for Steve Mahoney, Benoît Sauvageau for Roger Gaudet and Elsie Wayne for Val Meredith.

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Jean Dupuis, Analyst ; Brian O'Neal, Analyst . House of Commons: Jeremy LeBlanc, Committee Clerk.

Witnesses: Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat: Jim Judd, Secretary of the Treasury Board and Comptroller General of Canada. Department of Public Works and Government Services: I. David Marshall, Deputy Minister. Magali Fournier, Legal Counsel of Mr. Alfonso Gagliano.

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 Chair tabled a letter dated February 24, 2004 from VIA Rail Canada and a letter dated February 25, 2004 from the Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

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

The Subcommittee met on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 and agreed to make the following recommendations:

1. - That the Committee continue with Mr. Jim Judd and the officials from Public Works and Government Services at the meeting on February 26, 2004 from 9:00 to 11:00.

2. – That Mr. Alfonso Gagliano appear before the Committee on February 26, 2004, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a suspension for Question Period, or next week if he is not available on February 26, 2004.

3. - That the Subcommittee on the Protection of Witnesses and Testimony meet immediately after the committee meeting of February 26, 2004.

4. – That the following persons be tentatively scheduled to appear before the Committee: Ran Quail and Janice Cochrane, former Deputy Ministers of Public Works and Government Services, on Monday, March 1st, 2004, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; Peter Harder and Frank Claydon, former Secretaries of the Treasury Board, on Tuesday, March 2, 2004, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

On motion of Joe Jordan, it was agreed, — That the Third Report of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be concurred in.

Jim Judd and I. David Marshall made opening statements.

The Chair tabled a letter dated February 26, 2004 from the Deputy Minister of Public Works and Government Services and attachments.

It was agreed, — That the letter and attachments be distributed in the language received with translation to follow.

Jim Judd and I. David Marshall answered questions.

At 11:05, the sitting was suspended.

At 11:07, the sitting resumed.

Magali Fournier made a statement and answered questions.

The Chair tabled a copy of a letter dated February 26, 2004 received from the Auditor General of Canada.

At 11:29 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Bernard G. Fournier
Clerk of the Committee

2004/02/27 11:41 a.m.