EVIDENCE

Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates NUMBER 006 1st SESSION 45th PARLIAMENT Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Le mardi 7 octobre 2025 Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates CANADA [Recorded by Electronic Apparatus] EVIDENCE October 7, 2025 Committee NUMBER 006 NUMBER 006 NUMÉRO 006 06 07 10 2025 2025/10/07 11:05:00 House Of Commons Comité permanent des opérations gouvernementales et des prévisions budgétaires Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates OGGO Chair Kelly McCauley 1 45 PUBLIC PART ONLY -

PARTIE PUBLIQUE SEULEMENT

(1230) [ English ]

The Chair (Kelly McCauley (Edmonton West, CPC)) :

We are back in. Thanks, everyone, for your patience. We will now turn things over to the clerk for the selection of our first vice-chair, who will replace Mr. Gaheer, who has left us, unfortunately, for other pastures. If you're watching, Mr. Gaheer, shame on you. I notice our view count dropped from three to two. I think that's Mr. Gaheer who has left. I will turn things over to the clerk for the selection of our vice-chair.

[ Translation ]

The Clerk of the Committee (Marc-Olivier Girard) :

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I am now prepared to receive motions for the first vice-chair. Are there any nominations in that regard? [ English ] Yes, Ms. Sudds.

[ Translation ]

Hon. Jenna Sudds (Kanata, Lib.) :

Yes, I would like to nominate Ms. Iqra Khalid.

The Clerk :

It has been moved by Ms. Sudds that Iqra Khalid be elected as first vice-chair of the committee. Are there any further motions? I see none. Is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt the motion? (Motion agreed to) [ English ]

The Clerk: I declare the motion carried and Ms. Khalid duly elected as first vice-chair of the committee. Congratulations. Thank you, Chair.

The Chair :

Don't leave yet, Ms. Rochefort. I need about 30 seconds. Congratulations, Ms. Khalid. You've been one day on the committee and you're the vice-chair. It's like being selected as treasurer. It's the second-worst or second-best job. Quickly, you have all received the copy of the procurement ombudsman's report on “bait and switch”—the review of replacement resources. It's embargoed until October 15. He's going to table it in the House, so it will be public that day. We agreed to have him come to the committee. I'm going to suggest we have October 21 open.

We can have him in on our brief and then also address that report at the same time. I'm sorry—I'm speaking a bit fast. Are we agreed on October 21?

Some hon. members: Agreed.

The Chair: We had asked for witnesses for the Canada Post study, but it's being pushed back because of the labour issue. They also committed to turning in a report to the government within 45 days. I'm just letting everyone know that we will extend that, or we will seek witnesses at a much later date, once we can formalize dates for Canada Post to come back.

Pauline Rochefort (Nipissing—Timiskaming, Lib.) :

Chair, for those that have been submitted, will they be included or do they need to be resubmitted?

The Chair :

We'll just resubmit once everything gets sorted. I'm not quite sure what we will be looking at in 45 days or two months. We'll just resubmit. We'll give everyone lots of time. Ms. Gaudreau.

[ Translation ]

Marie-Hélène Gaudreau (Laurentides—Labelle, BQ) :

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I don't know what you think, but as far as I'm concerned, this is a flood of individuals. There are 13 million addresses in Canada, and many people are worried and awaiting news. Since we held a vote last week, I expected us to be able to inform people who are worried. I repeat my request that Minister Lightbound appear before the committee and answer our questions. Might he be available Thursday? The problem is, we're won't be here next week. It's late to inform people who are worried.

[ English ]

The Chair :

Thanks. It is a good point. There's a lot going on. My understanding is we'll have the minister on October 30. We'll have him after Thanksgiving. I think we'll have to start there. We extended two invites. We expressed our concern about getting in as soon as possible. This is the first available date. I think we will perhaps start asking some of those questions then. Wonderful. If there's nothing else, thank you very much, everyone, for your help. Ms. Khalid, again, welcome and congratulations. We are adjourned.