OGGO Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates met at 3:32 p.m. this day, in Room 269, West Block, the Chair, Diane Marleau, presiding.

Lisanne Lacroix made a statement and, with Ginette Sylvestre and Jean-Charles Ducharme, answered questions.

At 4:16 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:18 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Mark Holland moved, — That this Committee conduct a review of the federal government’s Real Estate Plan and that the Committee invite Minister Fortier to appear at the earliest opportunity, along with other witnesses the Committee may wish to call, and that this Committee request in writing that the Minister table with this Committee information to include, but not be limited to

• Larco Investment’s offer to purchase the nine assets sold by the federal government in phase 1 of its Real Estate Plan;
• The lease the government of Canada has entered into with Larco Investments Inc;
• Details of the financing Larco has negotiated to purchase the seven real property assets sold by the federal government in phase 1 of its Real Estate Plan;
• Assessments the Department has done concerning the impact of the Real Estate Plan on aboriginal land claims;
• The Confidential Information Memorandum prepared for the sale and lease back of the first nine buildings; and
• Plans that the government has made to reinvest moneys from the sale in the repair and greening of other government buildings and infrastructure.

Paul Dewar moved, — That the motion be amended by adding, before the last paragraph, the following: “ Any plans the previous government had regarding the sale and lease-back of Federal Public Buildings ” and after the last paragraph, the following: “ Plans the government has to provide financial assistance to municipalities that will be affected by the sell off of Federal Public Buildings ”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Paul Dewar and it was agreed to.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That this committee conduct a review of the federal government’s Real Estate Plan;
that the Committee invite Minister Fortier to appear at the earliest opportunity, along with other witnesses the Committee may wish to call; and
that this Committee request in writing that the Minister table with this Committee information to include, but not be limited to

• Larco Investment’s offer to purchase the nine assets sold by the federal government in phase 1 of its Real Estate Plan;
• The lease the government of Canada has entered into with Larco Investments Inc;
• Details of the financing Larco has negotiated to purchase the seven real property assets sold by the federal government in phase 1 of its Real Estate Plan;
• Assessments the Department has done concerning the impact of the Real Estate Plan on aboriginal land claims;
• The Confidential Information Memorandum prepared for the sale and lease back of the first nine buildings;
• Any plans the previous government had regarding the sale and lease-back of Federal Public Buildings;
• Plans that the government has made to reinvest moneys from the sale in the repair and greening of other government buildings and infrastructure; and
• Plans the government has to provide financial assistance to municipalities that will be affected by the sell off of Federal Public Buildings.

At 4:30 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.