Briefing binder created for the Deputy Minister of Finance on the occasion of his appearance before the Standing Committee on Public Accounts on December 9, 2024 on the Auditor General of Canada's report 8, entitled “Canada Emergency Business Account” - Annex B

Committee Member Biographies

About the Committee

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts is Parliament's standing audit committee, as it reviews the work of the federal government's external auditor, the Auditor General of Canada.

When the Speaker tables a report by the Auditor General in the House of Commons, it is automatically referred to the Public Accounts Committee. The committee selects the chapters of the report it wants to study and calls the Auditor General and senior public servants from the audited organizations to appear before it to respond to the Office of the Auditor General's findings. The committee also reviews the federal government's consolidated financial statements – the Public Accounts of Canada – and examines financial and/or accounting shortcomings raised by the Auditor General. At the conclusion of a study, the committee may present a report to the House that includes recommendations to the government for improvements in administrative and financial practices and controls of federal departments and agencies.

Government policy, and the extent to which policy objectives are achieved, are generally not examined by the committee. Instead, the committee focuses on government administration – the economy and efficiency of program delivery as well as the adherence to government policies, directives, and standards. The committee seeks to hold the government to account for effective public administration and due regard for public funds.

The committee also reviews the federal government's consolidated financial statement and estimates of the Office of the Auditor General as well as makes recommendations to the government for improvements in spending practices.

Other responsibilities include the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of government administration, the quality of administrative practices in the delivery of federal programs, and the government's accountability to Parliament regarding federal spending.

Liberal Party

Valerie Bradford
Liberal, Kitchener South—Hespeler (Ontario)

Valerie Bradford has been the Member of Parliament for Kitchener South—Hespeler since 2021. Before entering politics, Ms. Bradford spent 15 years as an economic development professional for the City of Kitchener supporting small businesses in the Waterloo Region. She also served as chair of the Workforce Planning Board for eight years.

Frequent General Points of Interest

Ms. Bradford has asked about publication delays, the government's debt management strategy, and projections for public debt charges and lapsed spending. Moreover, she has also sought information on the impacts of climate change on Canada's financial stability. In the House, she has expressed support for affordable housing as well as universally affordable and accessible childcare.

Francis Drouin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell (Ontario)

Francis Drouin has been the Member of Parliament for Glengarry—Prescott—Russell since 2015. He is currently Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. He is Chair of the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie.

Prior to being an elected official, Mr. Drouin served as a special assistant in the Office of the Premier of Ontario and worked in the private sector as a government relations consultant. He was previously Manager of Government Relations at Startup Canada, an organization that connects Canadian entrepreneurs and startups with the support, community partners, and resources they need to launch and grow their business. Mr. Drouin holds a degree in business administration from Collège La Cité and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Ottawa.

Frequent General Points of Interest

During hearings on the Public Accounts, Mr. Drouin has asked how adjusted payments for the rural supplement for the Canada Carbon Rebate for the exemption on home heating oil. In the House, he has expressed support for farmers and climate change mitigation for the agriculture sector. 

Nathaniel Erskine-Smith
Liberal, Beaches—East York (Ontario)

Nathaniel Erskine-Smith has been the Member of Parliament for Beaches—East York since 2015.

Before entering politics, Mr. Erskine-Smith was a lawyer at a commercial litigation firm in Toronto. He supplemented his practice with volunteer legal work for a range of clients and causes, which included fighting public interest matters in court, and research for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association.

He obtained his Bachelor of Arts in politics and law degree from Queen's University. After working at a large Bay Street law firm and being called to the bar, he obtained his Master of Laws from the University of Oxford where he studied political philosophy and constitutional law. Mr. Erskine-Smith was a pitcher for both the University and City baseball teams.

Frequent General Points of Interest

In the House, Mr. Erskine-Smith has expressed interest in climate change mitigation, healthcare funding, and emergency preparedness. In 2022, he introduced Bill C-298, An Act respecting pandemic prevention and preparedness. The bill is currently at second reading in the Senate.

Iqra Khalid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue
Liberal, Mississauga—Erin Mills (Ontario)

Iqra Khalid has been the Member of Parliament for Mississauga-Erin Mills since 2015. She currently serves as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue. She is also the Vice-Chair of the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

Before entering politics, Ms. Khalid worked for the City of Mississauga's legal department. She was also involved in raising funds for global disaster relief and helping students at York University and working at an immigration firm. Ms. Khalid moved to Canada from Pakistan with her family at a young age and grew up in Erin Mills. She studied criminology at York University and completed a law degree at the University of Michigan.

Frequent General Points of Interest

Ms. Khalid has asked about deficit projections, the government's debt management strategy, and Canada's overall economic performance. In the House, Ms. Khalid has spoken to the need for affordable housing, addressing labour shortages, incentivizing the transition to a green economy, and removing interest on student loans.

Jean Yip, Vice-Chair
Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt (Ontario)

Jean Yip has been the Member of Parliament for Scarborough—Agincourt since a by-election in 2017, the riding of her late husband Arnold Chan.

Prior to her election, Ms. Yip pursued a career in insurance and underwriting, becoming a team leader in her field. She completed her degree at the University of Toronto and holds a Fellow Chartered Insurance Professional Designation.

In her community, she taught Sunday school at her church for over 13 years and was involved with the STEM Fellowship Board of Directors which promotes computer literacy and programming capacity among youth.

Frequent General Points of Interest

During hearings on the Public Accounts, Ms. Yip's interventions have focused on the government's debt management strategy, accounting standards, and publication timelines. In the House, she has expressed interest in student employment, pension security, and removing barriers to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Conservative Party

Kelly McCauley
Conservative, Edmonton West (Alberta)

Kelly McCauley has been the Member of Parliament for Edmonton West since 2015. He is currently the Chair of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates.

Prior to entering politics, Mr. McCauley spent more than 30 years managing hotels and convention centres from Victoria to St. John's. During that time, he served on volunteer boards including as Vice President of the Burnaby Board of Trade and Vice Chair of the Avalon Convention and Visitors Bureau.  He also served as President of the Greater Victoria Eldercare Foundation, where he continues to serve as a special advisor. In recognition of his advocacy for veterans, he was named an honorary member of the Vancouver Island Aircrew Association. He was also the chairperson of the EI Board of Referees for Edmonton and Northern Alberta and was a founding co-chair of the Edmonton Destination Marketing Hotels.

Frequent General Points of Interest

During hearings on the Public Accounts, Mr. McCauley has asked for data on debt projections, Bank of Canada losses, and ineligible payments from COVID support programs such as the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) and Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). In line with his party's position, he opposes carbon pricing and has questioned the rebate amounts paid out to taxpayers. Generally, he has expressed concern over increased government spending and its impact on inflation and interest rates.

John Nater
Conservative, Perth—Wellington (Ontario)

John Nater has been the Member of Parliament for Perth—Wellington since 2015.

Before his election, Mr. Nater served on West Perth Municipal Council from 2010 to 2014 representing Mitchell Ward. From 2012 to 2015, he worked as a Lecturer at King's University College. Mr. Nater also worked as a grievance analyst with the Correctional Service of Canada and a policy analyst with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. Mr. Nater has a bachelor's degree in public affairs and policy management from Carleton University and a master's degree in public administration from Queen's University.

Frequent General Points of Interest

During hearings on the Public Accounts, Mr. Nater has asked about the debt service charges, government bonds, and Canada's economic performance (e.g., GDP per capita levels). His questions often relate to specific line items in the Public Accounts. Generally, he has expressed interest in supporting the agriculture sector.

Jake Stewart, Opposition Critic for Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Conservative, Miramichi—Grand Lake (New Brunswick)

Jake Stewart has been the Member of Parliament for Miramichi—Grand Lake since 2021. He is the Opposition Critic for Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and the Conservative Caucus Committee Coordinator.

He previously served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 2010 to 2021, representing the district of Southwest Miramichi Bay du Vin. Mr. Stewart is the founder of the Josie Foundation, a charitable foundation that provides relief to individuals and families in the Miramichi area encountering financial difficulty because of a life-threatening illness. 

Frequent General Points of Interest

Mr. Stewart voiced concern over the price on pollution and its impacts the cost of living for Canadian households, particularly to those living in Atlantic Canada. In the House, he has sought information on ineligible payments and repayments of CERB.

John Williamson, Chair
Conservative, New Brunswick Southwest (New Brunswick)

John Williamson has been the Member of Parliament for New Brunswick Southwest since 2019. He also represented the riding from 2011 until 2015.

Previously, Mr. Williamson was the Director of Communications in the Office of the Prime Minister under Stephen Harper from 2009 to 2011. Before entering politics, he served as Ontario Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation from 2002 to 2003 and National Director from 2004 to 2008. He has also worked for the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies, is a past Fellow with the Manning Centre for Building Democracy and Senior Fellow with the Fraser Institute. He also worked as an editorial writer for the National Post and was featured in several national publications.  He has a master's degree in economic history from the London School of Economics and a bachelor's degree from McGill University.

Frequent General Points of Interest

As chair, Mr. Williamson's participation in committee is focused on maintaining decorum and outlining procedures. He typically does not intervene to express his views on a given matter or ask questions of witnesses. In the House, he has advocated for rural economic development including initiatives to maintain services in small communities and build new infrastructure. In addition, he has voiced concern over the price on pollution and its impacts on the cost of living for Canadian households, particularly to those living in Atlantic Canada

Bloc Québécois

Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné, Vice-Chair
Bloc Québécois, Terrebonne (Québec)

Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné has been the Member of Parliament for Terrebonne since 2021. She currently serves as the Bloc Québécois Critic for the Public Accounts, pandemic programs, and Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions.

Before entering politics, Ms. Sinclair-Desgagné worked at the European Investment Bank and PWC London. She also gave master's courses at the École normale supérieure de Paris. She returned to Quebec in 2017 to work as a business consultant. She received a bachelor's degree in economics from McGill University and a master's degree in environmental change and management from Oxford University.

Frequent General Points of Interest

In committee, Ms. Sinclair-Desgagné has asked several questions on holding Crown corporations to the same transparency standards as federal departments. Also, she has expressed support for small and medium-sized businesses and has advocated for a CEBA loan extension to help businesses recover financially and avoid bankruptcy.

New Democratic Party

Richard Cannings
New Democrat, South Okanagan—West Kootenay (British Columbia)

Richard Cannings has been the Member of Parliament for South Okanagan—West Kootenay since 2015. He serves as NDP Critic for Emergency Preparedness (Climate change Resilience), Treasury Board, and Agriculture.

Prior to his election, Mr. Cannings was a biologist specializing in birds. He taught at the University of British Columbia for 17 years and served as a member of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada for eight years. In addition, he operated a consulting company and worked on conservation and bird population projects for government and non-governmental organizations.

Frequent General Points of Interest

In the House, Mr. Cannings has expressed interest in climate change mitigation, support for small businesses, and environmental protection. He previously advocated for a CEBA loan extension to help businesses recovering financially following the pandemic.