PACP Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts met at 9:07 a.m. this day, in Room 237-C, Centre Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Derek Lee, it was agreed, — That Shawn Murphy be elected Chair of the Committee.

By Unanimous consent, the Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Vice-Chairs.

On motion of Meili Faille, it was agreed, — That Daryl Kramp be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Andrew Saxton, it was agreed, — That David Christopherson be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Shawn Murphy took the Chair.

STATEMENT BY THE CHAIR

Pursuant to Order made by the House on Wednesday, March 3, 2010, the following routine motions in effect at the time of prorogation of the previous session are deemed to have been adopted by the Committee in the current session:

That the Committee retain, as needed and at the discretion of the Chair, the services of one or more analysts from the Library of Parliament to assist it in its work.

That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and composed of a non-voting Chair and one representative from all the parties.

That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence and to have that evidence printed when a quorum is not present, provided that at least four (4) members are present, including one (1) member of the opposition.

That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the Committee only documents that are available in both official languages.

That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the Committee and its subcommittees.

That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses not exceeding two (2) representatives per organization and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.

That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one (1)staff person at an in camera meeting and that, in addition, each party may have in attendance one (1) representative.

That one (1) copy of the transcript of each in camera meeting be kept in the Committee Clerk’s office for consultation by members of the Committee.

That 48 hours’ notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee, unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration and that the notice of motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and distributed to members in both official languages before consideration is given.

That witnesses be given five (5) minutes to make an opening statement and if they have additional information, it should be deposited with the Clerk of the Committee; that during the questioning of witnesses the time allocated to each questioner be as follows: on the first round of questioning, seven (7) minutes to a representative of each party in the following order: Liberal, Bloc Québécois, New Democratic Party (NDP) and Conservative, and on the second round of questioning, that five (5) minutes per party be allocated in the following order: Liberal, Conservative, Bloc Québécois, Conservative, New Democratic Party, Conservative, Liberal and Conservative.

It was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(g), the Committee resume the following studies undertaken during the 2nd Session of the 40th Parliament; and that the evidence heard and documentation received by the Committee in relation to these studies be taken into consideration by the Committee in this session:

• Following up on recommendations made by the Standing Committee on Public Accounts in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session;

• Chapter 2, "The Governor in Council Appointment Process," of the 2009 Status Report of the Auditor General of Canada;

• Chapter 7, "Special Examinations of Crown Corporations – 2008," of the Spring 2009 Report of the Auditor General of Canada;

• Chapter 1, "Gender-Based Analysis," of the Spring 2009 Report of the Auditor General of Canada;

• Chapter 1, “Safeguarding Government Information and Assets in Contracting,” of the October 2007 Report of the Auditor General of Canada;

• Chapter 3, “Human Resources Management - Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada,” of the May 2007 Report of the Auditor General of Canada;

• Chapter 4, “Interest on Advance Deposits from Corporate Taxpayers - Canada Revenue Agency,” of the Spring 2009 Report of the Auditor General of Canada;

• Chapter 6, "Selected Contribution Agreements - Natural Resources Canada," of the Spring 2009 Report of the Auditor General of Canada;

• Chapter 2, "Intellectual Property," of the Spring 2009 Report of the Auditor General of Canada;

• Public Accounts of Canada 2009;

• Chapter 7, "Emergency Management - Public Safety Canada," of the Fall 2009 Report of the Auditor General of Canada; and

• Chapter 8, "Strengthening Aid Effectiveness - Canadian International Development Agency," of the Fall 2009 Report of the Auditor General of Canada.

On motion of Meili Faille, it was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(g), the Committee undertake studies of the following chapters of the Fall 2009 Report of the Auditor General of Canada:

• Chapter 1, “Evaluating the Effectiveness of Programs”;

• Chapter 2, “Selecting Foreign Workers Under the Immigration Program”;

• Chapter 3, “Income Tax Legislation”; and

• Chapter 5, “Acquiring Military Vehicles for Use in Afghanistan”.

On motion of Daryl Kramp, it was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(g), the Committee undertake studies of the Departmental Performance Reports for 2008-2009 of the following organizations:

• Department of Industry; and

• Department of Transport.

It was agreed, — That, pursuant to the motion adopted on Thursday, March 11, 2010, the Committee begin its study of one of the following chapters of the Fall 2009 Report of the Auditor General of Canada at its meeting on Tuesday, March 23, 2010:

• Chapter 1, “Evaluating the Effectiveness of Programs”;

• Chapter 2, “Selecting Foreign Workers Under the Immigration Program”;

• Chapter 3, “Income Tax Legislation”; and

• Chapter 5, “Acquiring Military Vehicles for Use in Afghanistan”.

It was agreed, — That the Committee consider draft reports at its meetings on Tuesday, March 16 and Thursday, March 18, 2010.

It was agreed, — That, if possible, the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure meet on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 11:15 a.m.

At 9:38 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.