John Anderson made a statement and answered questions.

At 11:02 a.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 11:03 a.m., the meeting resumed.

Questioning of the witness resumed.

At 12:05 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 12:17 p.m., the meeting resumed.

It was agreed, — That the proposed supplementary budget in the amount of $1000, for the study of postal service in Canada’s rural and remote communities, be adopted.

It was agreed, — That the proposed supplementary budget in the amount of $2000, for the study of federal government consulting contracts awarded to McKinsey & Company, be adopted.

Garnett Genuis moved, — That the committee study Indigenous Procurement and that as part of its study, the committee invite the Minister of Indigenous Services of Canada along with relevant officials, the Minister of Public Services and Procurement along with relevant officials, the Minister of Crown Indigenous relations with relevant officials, leaders of Indigenous nations and national Indigenous organizations, and other witnesses submitted to the chair by committee members.

Debate arose thereon.

At 12:27 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 12:31 p.m., the meeting resumed.

The debate continued

At 12:50 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 12:53 p.m., the meeting resumed.

The debate continued

On motion of Garnett Genuis, it was agreed, — That the amendment reads as follow: ''That the motion be amended by adding the words ''; that the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House; and that, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee request that the Government table a comprehensive response to the report'' after the words ''12 hours of hearings''.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That the committee study Indigenous procurement and that as part of its study, the committee invite the Minister of Indigenous Services of Canada along with relevant officials, the Minister of Public Services and Procurement along with relevant officials, the Minister of Crown Indigenous relations with relevant officials, leaders of Indigenous nations and national Indigenous organizations, and other witnesses submitted to the chair by committee members; that the committee hold between eight and 12 hours of hearings; that the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House; and that, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee request that the government table a comprehensive response to the report.

Garnett Genuis moved, — That the committee report to the House its recommendation that the Procurement Ombud study Indigenous procurement.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That the committee write to the Procurement Ombud to recommend that he studies Indigenous procurement.

Julie Vignola moved, — Given the decision to change the status of 24 of the additional post offices in the Greater Montreal area from unilingual French to bilingual, that, pursuant to Standing Order 108(1), the committee invite to testify for a minimum of two hours each, no later than Saturday, September 28, 2024: the Minister of Official Languages; and the representatives of Canada Post.

Debate arose thereon.

At 12:59 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 1:06 p.m., the meeting resumed.

The debate continued

It was agreed, — That the motion reads as follow: ''Given the decision to change the status of 24 of the additional post offices in the Greater Montreal area from unilingual French to bilingual, that, pursuant to Standing Order 108(1), the committee invite the Deputy Minister of Official Languages and representatives of Canada Post to appear at a two-hour meeting to take place no later than Thursday, October 31, 2024'', and that it be adopted.

Stephanie Kusie moved, — Given the environment department has failed its Audit of the Administration of Grants and Contributions for poor oversight of millions of taxpayer dollars spent on green subsidies and the “potential legal and reputational damage this represents”, that the committee dedicate at least three meetings to this matter and call on the following witnesses to appear: Deputy Minister, Jean-François Tremblay; Assistant Deputy Minister, John Moffett; Assistant Deputy Minister of Corporate Services and Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Linda Drainville; Director General, Chief Audit Executive and Head of Evaluation, Christopher MacDonald; Authors of the “Administration of Grants and Contributions at Environment and Climate Change Canada”; Comptroller General of Canada, Annie Boudreau.

Debate arose thereon.

At 1:48 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 1:55 p.m., the meeting resumed.

The debate continued