PACP Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts met in a televised session at 3:33 p.m. this day, in Room 253-D Centre Block, the Chair, John Williams, presiding.

The witnesses made statements and answered questions.

At 5:22 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 5:24 p.m., the sitting resumed.

The Chair presented the Fourth Report from the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure which reads as follows:

Your Subcommittee met on Tuesday, February 1, 2005, to consider the business of the Committee and agreed to make the following recommendations:

1. That in relation to studies agreed to be undertaken by the Committee, Members be invited to submit to the Clerk the names of any witnesses pertinent to any said study.

2. That the Committee agree to travel to Iqaluit, Nunavut and Natuashish, Labrador during the week of May 1 – 6, 2005 (subject to change) to hold public hearings, and that the necessary staff accompany the Committee, with budget and itinerary details to be submitted to the Committee for its consideration at a later date.

3. That the Steering Committee host a luncheon during the week of February 21, 2005 for Mr. Bernard Scemama, Head of the economic and financial comptrollership of the Department of Economy and Finance, Republic of France.

4. That the motion respecting the rules governing rounds of questioning as adopted by the Committee on Tuesday, October 24, 2004, meeting no. 2, be put on the agenda of the next meeting of the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure of this Committee.

5. That prior to the final adoption of any report by this Committee, the Clerk be instructed to circulate to all Members a copy of the final draft version for review and approval over the course of a 48 hour period.

It was agreed, — That the report of the Subcommittee be concurred in.

By unanimous consent, on motion of David Christopherson, it was agreed, — That the 48 hour notice provision of this Committee governing the introduction of motions be waived.

On motion of David Christopherson, it was agreed, — That the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development be ordered to prepare and complete, no later than April 30, 2005:

1) a coherent action plan in consultation with the Office of the Auditor General, with realistic deadlines for implementation of proposed initiatives;

2) to address the Auditor General’s observations and recommendations contained in Chapter 5 of the November 2004 Report on a point by point basis;

3) to present the same to the Public Accounts Committee soon thereafter.

At 5:34 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.