PACC Committee Meeting
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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Meeting No. 29
Monday, May 12, 2003
The Standing Committee on Public Accounts met at 3:30 p.m. this day, in Room 209, West Block, the Chair, John Williams, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Odina Desrochers, John Finlay, Paul Forseth, Roger Gaudet, Val Meredith, Shawn Murphy, Tony Tirabassi and John Williams.
Acting Members present: Libby Davies for Judy Wasylycia-Leis; Joe Fontana for Steve Mahoney; Sarkis Assadourian for Beth Phinney; Larry Bagnell for Mac Harb.
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Brian O'Neal and Jean Dupuis, Analysts.
Also in attendance: Mrs. Arah Armstrong, Director of Audit of Antigua and Barbuda; Dr. Gertrud Schlicker, Austria, Deputy Director, Secretary General of INTOSAI; Mr. Njiemoun Mana, Cameroon, the Minister Delegate, Supreme State Audit Office; Mr. Alfred Enoh, Cameroon; Mr. Goran Steen, Sweden, Audit Director.
Witnesses: From the Office of the Auditor General of Canada: Sheila Fraser, Auditor General of Canada; Shahid Minto, Assistant Auditor General; John Hitchinson, Principal. From the Department of Citizenship and Immigration: Michel Dorais, Deputy Minister; Lyse Ricard, Assistant Deputy Minister, Operations; Daniel Jean, Acting Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy and Program Development. From the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat: Richard Neville, Deputy Comptroller General, Comptrollership Branch; John Morgan, Executive Director, Financial Management and Accounting Policy Directorate, Comptrollership Branch.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(e), the Committee commenced consideration of Chapter 5 (Citizenship and Immigration Canada - Control and Enforcement) of the April 2003 Report of the Auditor General of Canada.
Sheila Fraser and Michel Dorais made statements and, with the other witnesses, answered questions.
The Auditor General introduced international members of the INTOSAI Independence Subcommittee.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(e), the Committee commenced consideration of a letter dated April 23, 2003 from Richard Neville, Deputy Comptroller General, concerning ex Gracia Payments - Public Accounts Publication Waiver.
Richard Neville made a statement and, with John Morgan, answered questions.
On motion of Larry Bagnell, it was agreed, - That in relation to the
letter dated April 23, 2003 from Richard J. Neville, Deputy Comptroller
General, concerning waivers to the publication of details related to ex
gratia payments relating to Special Benefits to Merchant Navy Veterans,
heating fuel rebates, payments made to resolve claims arising from the Indian
Schools System and Special Benefit payment to First Nations Veterans, that an
annual waiver be given to Treasury Board provided that the gross amounts and
the total number of claims are reported to Parliament.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(e), the Committee resumed consideration of a draft report on Chapter 1 (Placing the Public's Money Beyond Parliament's Reach) of the April 2002 Report of the Auditor General of Canada. (See Minutes of Proceedings of Wednesday, April 30, 2003, Meeting No. 26)
It was agreed, - That the Committee adopt the Report as the FOURTEENTH REPORT of the Committee.
It was agreed, - That pursuant to Standing Order 109, the Committee request that the Government provide a comprehensive response to this Report.
It was agreed, - That the Chair be authorized to make such grammatical and editorial changes to the Report as may be necessary without changing the substance of the Report.
It was agreed, - That the Chair table the FOURTEENTH REPORT in the House.
It was agreed, - That a Press Release be issued.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(e), the Committee resumed consideration of a draft report on Chapter 2 (Fisheries and Oceans Canada - Contributing to Safe and Efficient Marine Navigation) of the December 2002 Report of the Auditor General of Canada. (See Minutes of Proceedings of Wednesday, April 30, 2003, Meeting No. 26)
It was agreed, - That the Committee adopt the Report as the FIFTEENTH REPORT of the Committee.
It was agreed, - That pursuant to Standing Order 109, the Committee request that the Government provide a comprehensive response to this Report.
It was agreed, - That the Chair be authorized to make such grammatical and editorial changes to the Report as may be necessary without changing the substance of the Report.
It was agreed, - That the Chair table the FIFTEENTH REPORT in the House.
It was agreed, - That a Press Release be issued.
At 5:11 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
Richard Rumas
Clerk of the Committee