Canadians facilitate workshop for MPs, Parliament staff
MEMBERS of Parliament (MPs) are attending a two-day workshop on working with parliamentary oversight committees, which is being facilitated by the Canadian Comprehensive Audit Foundation (CCAF). The CCAF is a research and educational foundation in Canada with the objective of strengthening public sector accountability and the training is aimed at situating the role of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in the overall budgetary oversight function of the National Assembly.
The sessions are also to clarify the budget process in the system and distinguish between ex-ante and ex-post roles of legislatures involved.
Speaking at the opening in the Regency Suites Hotel, on Hadfield Street Georgetown, former Finance Minister and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) MP, Mr. Carl Greenidge emphasised the necessity for MPs to be familiar with the general procedure and functions of the House.
He said the better the understanding, the greater will be the assurance to the public that their representatives can address their interest.
For the duration of the two days, the intention is to examine and explore the role of the PAC in the overall budgeting oversight function of Parliament and seek ways available to ensure effective overseeing.
Greenidge observed that PAC members have, in the past, undertaken to host courses for the benefit of MPs as well as Parliament staff and he is hopeful that, at the end of the present venture, MPs will be in a better position to offer programmes for the smoother functioning of the National Assembly.
He said MPs will also be educated on the holding of an effective hearing, which will see the presentation of 12 attributes of an effective oversight committee; determine the prerequisites for an effective PAC, and present the review of its self-assessment completed in 2011.
In addition, it will deal with powers and practices of the PAC, legislative support, government support, continuity and training, staffing and budget, planning and constructive partisanship.
The facilitators are Mr. John Nosewrothy, Auditor General of Newfoundland and Mr. Geoff Durbrow, representative of CCAF.