THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON AUDIT AND OVERSIGHT

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Wednesday, April 10, 2024
(29)

[English]

Pursuant to the order of the Senate of December 9, 2021, the Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight met this day in room B30, Senate of Canada Building and with videoconference, at 1:29 p.m. ET, the deputy chair, the Honourable David M. Wells, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Deacon (Nova Scotia), Klyne, Wells and Yussuff (4).

External members of the committee present: Robert Plamondon (1).

External members of the committee present by videoconference: Hélène F. Fortin (1).

Participating in the meeting: Stéphanie van Beek, Procedural Clerk, and Brigitte Martineau, Administrative Assistant, Committees Directorate; Lindsay McGlashan and Rosemonde Samedy, analysts, Library of Parliament; Amipal Manchanda, Chief Audit Executive, and Linda Anglin, Senior Advisor, Office of the Chief Audit Executive.

Pursuant to rule 12-7(4), the committee continued its consideration of the Senate’s internal and external audits and related matters.

WITNESSES:

Ernst & Young LLP:

Suzanne Gignac, Partner, Assurance Services;

Niguel Givogue, Senior Manager, Assurance Services.

Senate of Canada:

Pierre Lanctôt, Chief Financial Officer, Finance and Procurement Directorate;

Nathalie Charpentier, Comptroller and Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Finance and Procurement Directorate.

Suzanne Gignac and Niguel Givogue made a statement and answered questions.

At 1:50 p.m., the committee suspended and Pierre Lanctôt, Nathalie Charpentier and all staff were excused from the meeting.

At 1:51 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to discuss a draft agenda (future business).

At 2:18 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 2:21 p.m., the committee resumed, the Honourable Senator Klyne took the chair and staff were invited to rejoin the meeting.

The committee reviewed the audit plan for the external audit of the 2023-2024 financial statement.

At 3:28 p.m., Amipal Manchanda, Linda Anglin, Lindsay McGlashan and Rosemonde Samedy were excused from the meeting.

Pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(c), the committee discussed in camera matters related to labour relations and personnel.

It was agreed that the Chief Audit Executive’s training session in May 2024 and related travel expenses, as required to keep his professional designation, totaling $2,720.50, be reimbursed by the committee’s budget.

It was agreed that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to finalize the contract with the Chief Audit Executive, to approve its terms and conditions, including any exceptions.

At 3:36 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Maxime Fortin

Clerk of the Committee