Government Support

Cooperation

In the Westminster system, the government is accountable to the legislature. Government support of the legislative oversight process can be an important precondition to the effective functioning of a PAC.

• The PAC has the cooperation of and experiences no interference from the government in planning the timing and subject matter of meetings.
• The PAC has a clearly defined process for access to government documents.
• The government provides additional information and clarifications, where requested by the PAC, about budget estimates, public accounts, performance reporting, government administrative policies and financial management controls in the public sector.
• The government encourages departments and agencies to develop action plans to address PAC findings and implement recommendations.

Witnesses

Cooperation with deputy heads of departments and heads of agencies is important if the PAC is to function effectively.

• Encourage witnesses to be forthcoming in their testimony.
• Prepare or encourage the government to prepare guides for witnesses to explain the purpose of the PAC and the PAC hearing process. It is important to convey the roles and responsibilities of witnesses so they know what to expect.
• Question witnesses in a constructive manner, focussed on corrective action to be taken.

Practice Highlights

• In British Columbia, the Office of the Comptroller General has a guide for government witnesses appearing before the PAC.
• The federal Privy Council Office has a “Guide for Parliamentary Committee Witnesses” that outlines the responsibilities of civil servants.
• The House of Commons PAC requires departments and agencies to submit action plans, prepared in response to performance audits, prior to a hearing.
• In Quebec, these action plans must be submitted at least two weeks prior to a hearing.
• In British Columbia and Quebec, the PACs have no restrictions on their rights to summon witnesses or to call for information or documents.

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