PACP Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts met at 3:33 p.m. this day, in Room 237-C, Centre Block, the Chair, Shawn Murphy, presiding.

The delegates made statements and answered questions.

At 4:15 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:17 p.m., the sitting resumed.

The Chair presented the Twelfth Report from the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure which read as follows:

Your Subcommittee met on Tuesday, June 2, 2009, to consider the business of the Committee and agreed to make the following recommendations:

1. That pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(g), and notwithstanding the motion adopted by the Committee on Thursday, March 5, 2009, the Committee undertake a study of Chapter 7, "Special Examinations of Crown Corporations - 2008" of the Spring 2009 Report of the Auditor General of Canada, and that witnesses from Great Lakes Pilotage Authority and VIA Rail Canada Inc. be invited to appear.

2. That, if possible, the Committee allocate time during its meeting on Tuesday, June 23, 2009, to meet with a delegation from the Administration of the President of Russia.

3. That in relation to the motion adopted on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 concerning the audio recordings requested on March 24, 2009 during the Committee’s study of Chapter 3, "Contracting for Professional Services - Public Works and Government Services Canada" of the December 2008 Report of the Auditor General of Canada and in response to the letter dated May 14, 2009 from the Deputy Minister, Public Works and Government Services Canada, the Chair write to the Deputy Minister, Public Works and Government Services Canada, and invite him to appear before the Committee on Thursday, June 18, 2009, to explain the Department’s position on the matter.

On motion of Andrew Saxton, it was agreed, — That the Subcommittee Report be amended in paragraph 3 by adding after the words “and invite him” the following: “or his designate”.

On motion of Meili Faille, it was agreed, — That the Twelfth Report of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, as amended, be adopted.

David Christopherson moved, — That the Committee request that the Auditor General of Canada examine the awarding of a contract by Canada Post to Purolator Courier Ltd for air mail services, including whether the contract should have been awarded through a public tender process.

Debate arose thereon.

It was agreed, — That the debate be now adjourned.

At 4:29 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:30 p.m., the Committee proceeded to sit in camera.

It was agreed, — That the draft report, as amended, be adopted.

It was agreed, — That the report be entitled: "Chapter 7, Economy and Efficiency of Services - Correctional Service Canada of the December 2008 Report of the Auditor General of Canada".

It was agreed, — That the Chair, Clerk and analyst be authorized to make such grammatical and editorial changes as may be necessary without changing the substance of the report.

It was agreed, — That the Chair present the report to the House.

It was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the Committee request that the Government table a comprehensive response to the report.

It was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee prepare and issue a press release following the presentation of the report in the House.

It was agreed, — That the draft report, as amended, be adopted.

It was agreed, — That the report be entitled: "Report on Plans and Priorities for 2009-2010 and Departmental Performance Report for 2007-2008 of the Office of the Auditor General of Canada".

It was agreed, — That the Chair, Clerk and analyst be authorized to make such grammatical and editorial changes as may be necessary without changing the substance of the report.

It was agreed, — That the Chair present the report to the House.

It was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee prepare and issue a press release following the presentation of the report in the House.

The Committee commenced consideration of a draft report.

At 5:30 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.