Annette Ryan made a statement and, with the other witnesses, answered questions.

By unanimous consent, the Chair called Vote 1 under Canada Post Corporation, Vote 1 under Canada School of Public Service, Vote 1 under Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat, Vote 1 under Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board, Votes 1 and 5 under Department of Public Works and Government Services, Votes 1 and 5 under National Capital Commission, Vote 1 under Office of the Governor General's Secretary, Vote 1 under Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer, Vote 1 under Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner, Vote 1 under Privy Council Office, Vote 1 under Public Service Commission, Vote 1 under Senate, Votes 1 and 5 under Shared Services Canada, and Votes 1, 5, 10, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 50 under Treasury Board Secretariat.

Vote 1 under Canada Post Corporation, Vote 1 under Canada School of Public Service, Vote 1 under Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat, Vote 1 under Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board, Votes 1 and 5 under Department of Public Works and Government Services, Votes 1 and 5 under National Capital Commission, Vote 1 under Office of the Governor General's Secretary, Vote 1 under Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer, Vote 1 under Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner, Vote 1 under Privy Council Office, Vote 1 under Public Service Commission, Vote 1 under Senate, Votes 1 and 5 under Shared Services Canada, and Votes 1, 5, 10, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 50 under Treasury Board Secretariat carried on division.

Marie-Hélène Gaudreau moved, — That the committee undertake a study of at least two meetings on the practices of the National Capital Commission with respect to procurement, contract awarding and compliance with obligations under the Official Languages Act;

that the study examine, in particular:

• procurement and contract awarding processes;
• equitable access for Quebec and French-speaking businesses to federal public contracts;
• translation and bilingualism mechanisms within procurement processes;
• the impacts of administrative practices on competition and fairness among bidders;
• oversight and accountability mechanisms applicable to federal organizations;

that the committee invite, among others:

• Honourable Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement;
• Maryse Gaudreault, Chair of the Board of Directors of the National Capital Commission;
• Kelly Burke, Commissioner of Official Languages;
• Alexander Jeglic, Procurement Ombud;
• and any other witnesses deemed relevant by the committee;

and that the committee report its observations and recommendations to the House.

Debate arose thereon.

John-Paul Danko moved, — That the debate be now adjourned.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: John-Paul Danko, Vince Gasparro, Natilien Joseph, Stéphane Lauzon, Pauline Rochefort — 5;

NAYS: Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, Harb Gill, Tamara Jansen, Jeremy Patzer — 4.

At 12:05 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 12:13 p.m., the meeting resumed in camera.

The committee commenced consideration of a draft report.