PACC Committee Meeting

Meeting No. 9

Tuesday, December 7, 1999

The Standing Committee of Public Accounts met in camera at 3:32 p.m. this day, in Room 701, La Promenade Building, the Chair, John Williams, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: John Finlay, Mac Harb, Steve Mahoney, Philip Mayfield, Beth Phinney, John Richardson, Benoît Sauvageau, Alex Shepherd, John Williams.

In attendance: From the Library of Parliament: Jean Dupuis; Brian O'Neal, Research Officers.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(e), consideration of a draft Report on Other Audit Operations of the April 1999 Report of the Auditor General of Canada.

It was agreed, - that the Draft Report on Other Audit Operations (National Defence and Health Canada), as amended, be adopted as the Third Report of the Committee and that the Chair be instructed to present it to the House 48 hours after each member has received a final revised copy.

It was agreed, - That the Chair and Researchers be authorized to make such typographical and editorial changes as may be necessary without changing the substance of the Report.

It was agreed, - That the Standing Committee on Public Accounts establish a Sub-Committee to promote the acceptance of international financial reporting guidelines and standards for the public sector;

- That the mandate of the Sub-Committee include a review of the current efforts by parliamentarians and international organizations, such as the World Bank, to promote the acceptance of guidelines and standards now being developed under the auspices of the International Federation of Accountants;

- That the Sub-Committee be chaired by John Williams and that it be composed of eight (8) members including four (4) members from the Government and four (4) members from the Opposition to be appointed by the Chair after the usual consultations;

- That the Chair of the Sub-Committee be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence in the absence of a quorum, provided that four (4) members are present;

- That the Sub-Committee be delegated all of the powers of the Standing Committee, except the power to report to the House;

- That the Sub-Committee be authorized to reimburse the travelling expenses of the witnesses which will be charged to the budget of the Standing Committee;

- That the Sub-Committee be authorized to seek the authority and the necessary funds to travel, if deemed appropriate; and

- That the Sub-Committee report its findings and recommendations to the Standing Committee no later than May 31, 2000.

The Chair presented the Second Report of the Sub-committee on Agenda and Procedure which reads as follows:

The Sub-committee on Agenda and Procedure of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts met on Thursday, December 2, 1999, and agreed to recommend the following:

It was agreed, That the Committee hold meetings in relation to the following chapters of the September and November 1999 Report of the Auditor General of Canada:

Chapter 21 (Financial Information Strategy: Departmental Readiness;,

Chapter 17 (Canada Infrastructure Works Program: Phase II and Follow-up of Phase I Audit);

Chapter 23 (Involving Others in Governing: Accountability at Risk);

Chapter 24 (The Canadian Adaptation and Rural Development Fund: An Example of Involving Others in Governing);

Chapter 14 (National Health Surveillance: Diseases and Injuries);

Chapter 15 (Management of a Food-Borne Disease Outbreak);

Chapter 18 (Public Works and Government Services Canada - Alternative Forms of Delivery: Contracting for Property Management Services;

Chapter 27 (National Defence - Alternative Service Delivery);

Chapter 30 (Sole-Source Contracting for Professional Services: Using Advance Contract Award Notices);

Follow-up of recommendations in Previous Reports (to be determined).

It was agreed, - That the Second Report of the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure be concurred in.

At 5:30 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Jacques Lahaie

Clerk of the Committee