Committee overview and member biographies: Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs—February 27, 2020

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Mandate of the committee

The mandate of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs (PROC) is set out in section 108(3)(a) of the Standing Orders of the House of Commons. PROC acts as a striking committee for house standing committees under section 104 of the standing orders, and possesses the powers of examination and inquiry common to all standing committees under section 108(1)(a) of the standing orders.

The committee is specifically mandated to examine and conduct studies related to the following items:

• the standing orders, procedure and practice in the House of Commons and its committees
• the election of members to the House of Commons, including reviewing and reporting on matters related to the chief electoral officer, his or her appointment, and Elections Canada
• conflict of interest matters relating to members of the House of Commons, including responsibility over the Conflict of Interest Code for members of the House of Commons and the activities of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner that relate to the code
• the Code of Conduct for members of the House of Commons: sexual harassment
• the administration of the house and the provisions of services and facilities to members, reporting in this case to the speaker and the Board of Internal Economy
• the effectiveness, management and operation of all operations under the joint administration of both Houses of Parliament, except for the Library of Parliament
• the radio and television broadcasting of the House of Commons and its committees
• order in council appointments made pursuant to standing order 110

Key committee activity: 43rd Parliament, 1st session

PROC Committee members’ typically focus on issues relating to the management of the House of Commons.

On June 13, 2019 during the 42nd Parliamentary session, committee members proposed a number of potential studies that they wished to call to the attention of the next PROC Committee in 2020, 2 of which are of interest to Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC).

Unimpeded access to the Parliamentary Precinct

• Members of the House of Commons have experienced challenges accessing the Parliamentary Precinct freely
• Members have the unquestioned right of unimpeded access to the Parliamentary Precinct
• The committee wishes to underline the importance of this unquestioned right and expects the next PROC Committee to continue to monitor this issue

Long Term Vision and Plan

The committee, along with members of the house, raised concerns about the functionality of certain aspects of West Block as a workplace for parliamentary business. The committee wishes to underline the following matters:

• that the next PROC Committee ought to commence its review of the Long Term Vision Plan (LTVP) as soon as possible, so that its recommendations can have the greatest impact
• in reviewing the LTVP, the committee ought to ask for an update of decisions taken since the adjournment of the house in June 2019
• that in reviewing the LTVP, the committee take great care to seek out the input of current and former members of the house who sat in Centre Block
• that the review of the LTVP be considered a priority and be conducted at systematic intervals

Appearance: February 18, 2020

Study: LTVP—Centre Block rehabilitation project

PSPC witnesses: Rob Wright, Assistant Deputy Minister, Science and Parliamentary Infrastructure Branch, Duncan Retson, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Science and Parliamentary Infrastructure Branch and Jennifer Garrett, Director General, Centre Block Program, Science and Parliamentary Infrastructure Branch.

Summary: As part of their presentation, officials updated members on the LTVP strategy to modernize the precinct and create an integrated Parliamentary campus. They also informed members of some of the main challenges they are facing including the modernization of information technology (IT), security, accessibility and certain design constraints. The meeting was an hour shorter than originally scheduled. Therefore, there was not enough time for committee members to ask questions. All witnesses have been invited back to appear before the committee Tuesday, February 25, 2020.

Members are taking a keen interest in the project and most are participating in a tour of the work being done on Centre Block on Thursday, February 20.

Key committee activity: 42nd Parliament, 1st Session

Appearance: May 1, 2018

Study: Use of Indigenous languages in proceedings of the House of Commons.

PSPC witnesses: Matthew Ball, Acting Vice-President, Translation Bureau and Stéphan Déry, Chief Executive Officer, Translation Bureau

Summary: Some committee members focused their line of questioning around the use of Indigenous languages in the new West Block, Translation Bureau’s quality and capacity to interpret Indigenous languages, and Translation Bureau’s code of ethics.

Committee report: June 19, 2018

Title: Use of Indigenous languages in proceedings of the House of Commons

Report recommendations relevant to PSPC: that the use of Indigenous languages be recognized in the House of Commons as set out in the report and that the Board of Internal Economy (BOIE) examine and consider ensuring that expenses on the part of members related to Indigenous language use for the purpose of carrying out their parliamentary functions and duties be authorized under the members by-law.

Appearance: December 11, 2018

Briefing: Centre Block rehabilitation project

PSPC witnesses: Jennifer Garrett, Director General, Centre Block Program and Rob Wright, Assistant Deputy Minister, Parliamentary Precinct Branch

Summary: Some committee members, while debating the rehabilitation project, mused about the possibility of using the West Block space as a second, parallel House of Commons chamber for other debates following the move back to Centre Block. Members also discussed the need for input on a family-friendly space in Centre Block upon reopening. There was further discussion about retrofitting Centre Block in order to protect it in the event of an earthquake. Members were also curious about the total cost of the rehabilitation of Centre Block.

Appearance: April 2, 2019

Study: Potential removal of elm tree on Parliament Hill

PSPC witnesses: Jennifer Garrett, Director General, Centre Block Program, Lisa MacDonald, Senior Landscape Architect and Arborist and Rob Wright, Assistant Deputy Minister, Parliamentary Precinct Branch

Summary: Some committee members focused their line of questioning around the significance of the elm tree, replacement of the tree, a re-evaluation of visitor centre before deciding to replant trees, health of tree, timeline to cut down the elm tree, and work involved to remove the elm tree.

Appearance: May 14, 2019

Study: Mandate of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs and oversight of the Centre Block rehabilitation project and the Long Term Vision and Plan

PSPC Witnesses: Jennifer Garrett, Director General, Centre Block Program and Rob Wright, Assistant Deputy Minister, Parliamentary Precinct Branch

Summary: Discussion was had about the feasibility of a parallel chamber. Some members wanted to be sure that they would see a critical path of when major decisions needed to be made so that the elected members would have adequate input. Other members questioned the possibility of enlarging the Centre Block Chamber of the House of Commons in order to accommodate future increases in the number of members of Parliament. There was also discussion about outstanding questions surrounding the development of the visitors centre.

Committee members biographies

Liberal Party of Canada

Honourable Kirsty Duncan: Ontario

Liberal member of Parliament for Etobicoke North

Interest in Public Services and Procurement Canada portfolio

• During the 42nd Parliament she advocated for Indigenous communities and Indigenous sport leaders. She announced a $48 million program for sport and physical activity in Indigenous communities
• As the Minister of Science, Ms. Duncan spoke about investing $10 billion in science and research to support researchers. Ms. Duncan may have an interest in PSPC’s Laboratories Canada initiative

Other interests and interventions

• The member has risen most often in the House of Commons regarding investments in science and research, government assistance and government accountability
• As the Minister of Science and Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, the member appeared several times before the Industry Science and Technology committee (INDU) on items such as the Main Estimates and the Supplementary Estimates (B)

Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor: New Brunswick

Liberal member of Parliament for Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe

Served as a member of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House affairs from 2015 to 2017, and Chair of the Subcommittee on Private Members’ Business of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs.

Interest in Public Services and Procurement Canada portfolio

• As Minister, Ms. Petitpas Taylor tabled "A Prescription for Canada: Achieving Pharmacare for All" on June 12, 2019
• Tabled Report of the Pest Management Regulatory Agency on the administration and enforcement of the Pest Control Products Act for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018, pursuant to the Pest Control Products Act, S.C. 2002, c. 28, sbs. 80(1) on December 12, 2018
• As a member of PROC in the previous session, Ms. Petitpas Taylor spoke about implementing policies to ensure that parliament is more family-friendly and more inclusive

Other interests and interventions

• The member has risen most often in the House of Commons regarding cannabis, pharmacare, and prescription drugs
• As the Minister of Health, the member appeared regularly at the Standing Committee on Health (HESA)
• As a member of PROC in the previous session prior to becoming Minister of Health, the member was vocal on issues related to parliamentary reform, including family friendly parliament

Mark Gerretsen: Ontario

Liberal member of Parliament for Kingston and the islands

Interest in Public Services and Procurement Canada portfolio

• The member has previously expressed an interest in the environment and climate change and therefore may be interested in PSPC’s greening government initiative
• As a former member of the Standing Committee on National Defence, it is anticipated the member will continue to have an interest in defence spending and defence procurement

Other interests and interventions

• Mr. Gerretsen has risen most often in the House of Commons regarding Canadian Forces, Defence, and Environmental protection
• In the previous Parliament, Mr. Gerretsen was a regular member of the Standing Committee on National Defence and the Standing Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development

Omar Alghabra: Ontario

Liberal member of Parliament for Mississauga Centre

Interest in Public Services and Procurement Canada portfolio

• As the Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Service Renewal, Mr. Alghabra may have an interest in particular areas of PSPC
• As a previous member of OGGO, Mr. Alghabra may have some familiarity with the mandate and history of PSPC

Other interests and interventions

• The member has risen most often in the House of Commons regarding trade agreements, international relations and civil and human rights.

Ruby Sahota: Ontario (Chair)

Liberal member of Parliament for Brampton North

Interest in Public Services and Procurement Canada portfolio

• As a member of the Procedure and House Affairs Committee in the previous Parliament, it is likely Ms. Sahota will have familiarity with the Centre Block rehabilitation project and the Long Term Vision and Plan
• On June 12, 2018, Ms. Sahota spoke in support of the Private Member’s Bill C-344, “An act to amend the Department of Public Works” or the “Community Benefits” bill
  • During debate at third reading, Ms. Sahota remarked: “… this legislation is a stepping stone. Public procurement spends about $15 billion a year in maintenance and upgrades, and that is a big chunk of money
  • The government should be thinking about how it is spent, where it goes, and what benefits end up coming to the community”

Other interests and interventions

• Ms. Sahota was previously a member of the Special Committee on Electoral Reform, and is a lawyer specializing in commercial litigation.

Ryan Turnbull: Ontario

Liberal member of Parliament for Whitby

Interest in Public Services and Procurement Canada portfolio

• During the 43rd Parliament, Mr. Turnbull has participated in debate during meetings of the Procedure and House Affairs Committee with respect to the committee having some oversight and input into the Centre Block revitalization project. It is likely the member will continue to have an interest in the LTVP
• Mr. Turnbull has spoken about the importance of taking initiative to fight climate change in the House of Commons. Therefore, the member may have interest in PSPC’s greening government initiatives

Other interests and interventions

• The member has risen most often in the House of Commons regarding climate change and global warming and economic prosperity.

Conservative Party of Canada

John Brassard: Ontario

Conservative member of Parliament for Barrie-Innisfil

Interest in Public Services and Procurement Canada portfolio

• During the 43rd Parliament, Mr. Brassard has participated in discussions about the Centre Block rehabilitation study and the Long Term Vision and Plan
• He has expressed interest in climate change and remaining economically competitive going forward. It is possible he may have an interest in PSPC’s greening government initiatives
• During the 42nd Parliament the member participated in debate surrounding ethical issues, openness and transparency and Bill C-58. The member may have an interest in PSPC’s Integrity Regime

Other interests and interventions

• Mr. Brassard has risen most often in the House of Commons regarding government accountability and support for veterans.

Eric Duncan: Ontario

Conservative member of Parliament for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry

Interest in Public Services and Procurement Canada portfolio

During the 43rd Parliament, Mr. Duncan has spoken about infrastructure projects and first nations communities

• He stated that the Government of Canada can rely on the judgement and expertise of those who are living in these communities and who know their priorities
• It is possible the member may be interested in procurement for first nation groups

Other interests and interventions

• The member has risen most often in the House of Commons regarding infrastructure project delays for municipalities in rural eastern Ontario

Blake Richards: Alberta (Vice-Chair)

Conservative member of Parliament for Banff-Airdrie

Interest in Public Services and Procurement Canada portfolio

• During the 43rd Parliament, Mr. Richards has participated in debate on a motion to call the minister and officials to discuss the Centre Block rehabilitation and Block 2 redevelopment
• During the 42nd Parliament, Mr. Richards spoke about improving government accountability and transparency. As a long-time member of PROC, it is expected that he is familiar with the Long Term Vision and Plan for the Parliamentary Precinct

Other interests and interventions

• As a former member of the Special Committee on Electoral Reform and the critic for Democratic Institutions, Mr. Richards participated regularly in debate about electoral reform and our electoral system

Corey Tochor: Saskatchewan

Conservative member of Parliament for Saskatoon-University

Interests and interventions

• The member has risen most often in the House of Commons regarding human organ trafficking and national infrastructure projects such as pipelines.

Bloc Québécois

Alain Therrien: Quebec (Vice-Chair)

Bloc member of Parliament for La Prairie

Interest in Public Services and Procurement Canada portfolio

• During the 43rd Parliament, Mr. Therrien spoke about the Government of Canada’s indecisiveness to either fight climate change or export resources. He may have interest in PSPC’s greening procurement initiatives
• Also, he has spoken about the relationship the Government of Canada has with Indigenous people. He may have an interest in PSPC’s procurement process and indigenous owned businesses

Interests and interventions

• The member has risen most often in the House of Commons regarding provincial divisions in Canada, climate change, natural resources, single tax returns and agriculture

New Democratic Party

Rachel Blaney: British Columbia

New Democratic Party member of Parliament for North Island-Powell River

Interest in Public Services and Procurement Canada portfolio

• Ms. Blaney has risen in Question Period to ask the government about the Phoenix Pay
• She is an advocate for assisting homeless veterans and may take an interest in disposal of property or procuring affordable housing

Other interests and interventions

• The member has risen most often in the House of Commons regarding equal opportunities and quality of life

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