OGGO Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates met in camera at 3:32 p.m. this day, in Room 237-C, Centre Block, the Vice-Chair, Chris Warkentin, presiding.

It was agreed, — That the Committee hold five public meetings for its study of the freeze on departmental budget envelopes; that the first of these meetings focus on a demographic portrait of the federal public sector; that the second focus on the government’s approach; that the third focus on the viewpoint of the federal public sector unions; and that the fourth and fifth deal with case studies.

At 4:32 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:35 p.m., the sitting resumed.

It was agreed, — That the Clerk be authorized to determine the availability of the witnesses chosen by the various recognized political parties at the current meeting for purposes of the public hearings on the study of the freeze on departmental budget envelopes.

At 4:55 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:56 p.m., the Committee resumed sitting in public.

Martha Hall Findlay moved, — That the Committee recommend the Auditor General to undertake an audit of the $1.4 billion disposition of seven commercial real estate properties by the government in 2007 to Larco Investments Ltd., looking especially into the efficacy of the business case then used to justify that disposition, and that results of such an audit be communicated to the Committee through an appearance of the Auditor General before it, shortly after she presented the said results by report to the House.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 4.

Martha Hall Findlay moved, — That the Committee resume its study of the implementation of the Economic Stimulus Package from the Second Session of the 40th Parliament, that the evidence and documentation received by the Committee in relation to the said study be taken into consideration in this session, that the draft report prepared by its analysts in respect to this study be considered for presentation to the House as an interim report as soon as possible, and that the committee continue to hold hearings on this issue in order to present a final report to the House.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 1.

At 5:17 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.