Comparative Jurisdictional Implementation Survey -- Improving Accountability (41-50)

CANADIAN COUNCIL OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEES

UNIVERSAL IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE
GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEES IN CANADA -- Continued

41.	The Steering Committee should meet at the call of the Chairman and hold all its meetings in camera. (9.3)

Explanatory Notes

British Columbia	--	Informal arrangement.
Manitoba	--	There has never been a steering committee.
New Brunswick	--	Practice is consistent.
Yukon	--	Not applicable.

Meetings and Procedures

42.	The Steering Committee meetings shall be held in camera. Minutes of these meetings may be kept at the discretion of the Chairman and if kept would be distributed only to Committee members. (10.1)

Explanatory Notes

Manitoba	--	In camera meetings are rarely held and within recent history no in camera meetings have been held.
Ontario	--	Report of sub-committee read at next meeting.
Yukon	--	Entire committee meets in (in camera) Executive Sessions.

43.	Meetings in camera shall be held by the whole committee to:
	-- brief members on the subjects the Committee will review;
	-- draft and approve the Committee's Reports;
	-- discuss personnel matters; and
	-- plan strategies regarding Committee relationships with other committees and key leaders in the Legislature. (10.2)

Explanatory Notes

British Columbia	--	Infrequent in camera meetings
Manitoba	--	In camera meetings are rarely held and within recent history no in camera meetings have been held.
Quebec	--	The chairman can, at his discretion, summon work sessions that are not public. Only the Committee can decide to hold the session in camera, ensuring that the witnesses and the documents become confidential.
Saskatchewan	--	Depending on the item of business before the Committee.

44.	Public Accounts Committee hearings for taking testimony should be open to the public and press, however in camera hearings shall be allowed at the discretion of the Chairman. (10.3)

Explanatory Notes

Alberta	--	All meetings are open to the public and press and recorded in Hansard.
Federal - House of Commons	--	At the discretion of the committee.
Manitoba	--	In camera meetings are rarely held and within recent history no in camera hearings have been held.
New Brunswick	--	Rules allow for tabling process with the Office of the Clerk.
Quebec	--	The chairman can, at his discretion, summon work sessions that are not public. Only the Committee can decide to hold the session in camera, ensuring that the witnesses and the documents become confidential.
Saskatchewan	--	At discretion of the Committee.

45.	In camera hearings should only be held in instances when evidence of a particularly sensitive nature is given. (10.4)

Explanatory Notes

Alberta	--	In camera meetings have never been held.
Federal - House of Commons.
Manitoba	--	In camera meetings are rarely held and within recent history no in camera meetings have been held.
Nova Scotia	--	All meetings are open.

46.	The Auditor General or his representative shall attend all Committee hearings, except where the Committee or Auditor feel the circumstances do not require his presence. (10.5)

47.	The Committee shall have made available meeting rooms in which to hold hearings and meetings, in or nearby the legislative buildings. (10.6)

Explanatory Notes

British Columbia

Douglas Fir Committee Room.

48.	A quorum shall be required at Committee meetings and hearings only if a vote is to be taken. (10.7)

Explanatory Notes

British Columbia	--	Quorum necessary for the official conduct of committee business as defined in the Standing Orders.
Northwest Territories	--	Quorum at start of meeting as well.
Saskatchewan	--	Meeting usually does not start without a quorum.

49.	Verbatim transcripts should be prepared for all public hearings and meetings. Verbatim transcripts should be prepared for in camera hearings and meetings at the discretion of the Chairman. (10.9)

Explanatory Notes

Manitoba	--	Committee Hansards [verbatim transcripts] are prepared.
Saskatchewan	--	In camera verbatim at discretion of Committee.

50.	Minutes shall be kept of all Committee meetings and hearings. (10.10)

Explanatory Notes

British Columbia

Prepared and circulated by the Clerk of Committees.