PACC Committee Meeting

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
(Meeting No. 3)

Tuesday, October 21, 1997


The Standing Committee on Public Accounts met at 3:38 o’clock p.m. this day, in Room 308, West Block, the Chair, John Williams, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Mark Assad, André Bachand, Elinor Caplan, Mac Harb, Gurmant Grewal, René Laurin, Steve Mahoney, Lynn Myers, Andrew Telegdi and John Williams.

Acting Members present: Rick Casson for Jason Kenney, Garry Breitkreuz for Philip Mayfield, Eleni Bakopanos for Sue Barnes.

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Brian O’Neal, Research Officer.

Witnesses: From the Office of the Auditor General of Canada: L. Denis Desautels, Auditor General; Raymond Dubois, Deputy Auditor General; and Shahid Minto, Assistant Auditor General.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108 (3)(e), the Committee proceeded to the consideration of matters related to the future business of the Committee.

The Chair presented the First Report of the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure which read as follows:

The Sub-committee on Agenda and Procedure of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts met on Thursday, October 9, 1997 and agreed to recommend the following:

That the time schedule for meetings during the weeks of October 20 and October 27, 1997 be as follows: Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m. for public meetings with witnesses; and Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. for in camera preparatory briefings with the research staff of the Committee and representatives of the Office of the Auditor General. The Steering Committee will re-examine the time schedule of meetings at the end of the week of October 27, 1997 in an attempt to prevent scheduling conflicts with other committees.

That during the questionning of the witnesses, the Chair recognize a government member as the third questionner on the first round; and that the Chair endevour to ensure that all members of the Committee be given the opportunity to ask questions during a meeting.

That, as established by the Board of Internal Economy and if requested, reasonable travelling, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses who are invited to appear before the Committee up to a maximum of two (2) representatives for any one organization.

That the Committee meet on Tuesday, October 21 at 3:30 p.m. to consider the Report of the Steering Committee and routine motions followed at 4:30 p.m. with a statement and questions to the Auditor General regarding his April and October 1997 Report referred to the Committee on October 7, 1997, and that the meeting be extended, if required.

That the Committee hold meetings on the following chapters of the April and October 1997 Report of the Auditor General before the Christmas recess:



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Chapter 12: Information Technology : Preparedness for Year 2000 (briefing on
October 22 and meeting on October 28);

Chapter 21: Household Goods Removal Services of the Federal
Government (briefing on October 29);

Chapter 13: Health Canada – First Nations Health;

Chapter 19: Transport Canada: Commercialization of Air Navigation System; and

Chapter 17: Human Resources Development Canada – A Critical Transition
toward Results-Based Management.

6. That the Research Officers of the Committee prepare Draft Reports for the consideration of the Steering Committee within three weeks of the meeting(s) with witnesses on a particular chapter of the Auditor General Report.

René Laurin, seconded by Mac Harb, moved, - That Recommendation no. 1 be amended by deleting the words: "for in-camera preparatory briefings" amd substituting the following therefore: "for preparatory briefings generally held in-camera".

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

After further debate, Recommendations nos 2 to 6 inclusive were agreed to.

The Report, as amended, was concurred in.

It was agreed, - That the procedure relating to dilatory motions as outlined in the document dated October 20, 1997 prepared by the Clerk of the Committee be followed in this Committee.

At 4:13 o’clock p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:30 o’clock p.m., the sitting resumed.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(e), the Committee proceeded to the consideration of the April and October 1997 Report of the Auditor General of Canada referred to the Committee on Tuesday, October 7, 1997.

L. Denis Desautels made an opening statement and, with the other witnesses, answered questions.

At 5:46 o’clock p.m., the Committee adjourned until tomorrow at 5:30 o’clock p.m.