OGGO Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates met at 8:48 a.m. this day, in Room 253-D, Centre Block, the Chair, Pierre-Luc Dusseault, presiding.

It was agreed, — That the appearance of the Canada Lands Company, the Old Port of Montreal Corporation and Downsview Park be again postponed until April or May once these corporations have tabled their annual reports for 2013-2014.

It was agreed, — That the meeting on Thursday, February 27, 2014, be dedicated to the Supplementary Estimates (C) for 2013-2014; that officials from the Treasury Board Secretariat be invited for the first hour of the meeting and from Shared Services Canada for the second hour of the meeting.

It was agreed, — That the meeting on Tuesday, March 4, 2014, be dedicated to the Main Estimates for 2014-2015; that the President of the Treasury Board and his officials be invited to appear at that time; and that the Report on Plans and Priorities of the Secretariat also be given consideration during that meeting.

It was agreed, — That the meeting on Thursday, March 6, 2014, be dedicated to the Main Estimates for 2014-2015; that the Minister of Public Works and Government Services and/or her officials be invited to appear at that time; and that the Report on Plans and Priorities of the department also be given consideration during that meeting.

It was agreed, — That the meeting on Tuesday, March 25, 2014, be dedicated to the Main Estimates for 2014-2015; that officials from the Privy Council Office be invited for the first hour of the meeting and from Shared Services Canada for the second hour of the meeting; and that the Report on Plans and Priorities of both organizations also be given consideration during that meeting.

It was agreed, — That the meeting on Thursday, March 27, 2014, be dedicated to studying the effectiveness of online services provided by federal organizations; that the Auditor General of Canada and his officials be invited for the first hour of the meeting; and that the relevant officials from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, the Canada Revenue Agency, Veterans Affairs Canada and Industry Canada be invited to appear for the second hour of the meeting.

Bernard Trottier moved, — That the Committee undertake, consistent with Canada’s signing of the G8 Open Data Charter, a study to assess and enhance the government’s Open Data practices; that this study include examining how Canadian businesses can better obtain and utilize high-value information with strong economic potential from the government and reviewing the processes and practices of other governments with respect to their collection, storage and transfer of Open Data; and that the Committee use its findings to provide the government with direction and advice focused on improving the way this high-value data is collected, stored and transferred to Canadians, resulting in access to useful and useable Open Data that will drive economic growth as part of an information economy.

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

It was agreed, — That the analysts be instructed to prepare a briefing note for the members on the status of open data along with international examples.

It was agreed, — That the political parties have until 5 p.m. on Thursday, February 20, 2014, to electronically provide the clerk with their suggested lists of witnesses for the study on open data, and that these lists be given consideration during the meeting on Tuesday, February 25, 2014.

Pat Martin moved, — That the Committee requests the PBO to undertake a study, on behalf of the Committee, to investigate the effects of climate change on Federal Government operations and to forecast the cost of climate change to programs such as the Disaster Financial Assistance Program or Military Disaster Assistance and other Public Safety emergency measures operations.

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived on the following recorded division:YEAS: Gerry Byrne, Anne-Marie Day, Pat Martin — 3; NAYS: Diane Ablonczy, Mark Adler, Jay Aspin, Gordon O'Connor, Tilly O'Neill Gordon, Bernard Trottier — 6.

It was agreed, — That, in relation to the access to information request received by the Public Service Commission and communicated to the Committee on Friday, February 7, 2014, the Committee instruct the clerk to not authorize the disclosure of the Committee documents contained in the said request.

It was agreed, — That the Committee do now adjourn.

At 10:18 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.