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3:21

Man, we're in West Block? 209 West Block, even? Are we being punished or something? Anyway, welcome to Government Operations, the happiest committee of all. Also, I'd like to wish an early happy birthday to one of its most consistently interested and enthusiastic members, Chris Warkentin! Happy (Early) Birthday, Chris!

3:25	Okay, this is going to be even more interesting than I thought. Guess who is subbing in for the apparently absent chair, Yasmin Ratansi? Vice-chair Rob Anders, that's who! I don't think I've ever seen him wield the gavel before.

3:29

Alright, before I get all transfixed by today's testimony and forget to provide it, here's today's lineup. Up for the opposition, we have Martha Hall Findlay, Kristy Duncan and Alexandra Mendes for Team Liberal; Richard Nadeau and Diane Bourgeois for the Bloc Quebecois, and Pat Martin rounding out the table for the NDP.

3:30	On the government side, we have the aforementioned Chris Warkentin, who won't look a day older tomorrow than he does today, I suspect; Patrick Brown, Jacques Gourde and Ed Holder.

3:32	Finally, looking calm but focused at the witness end of the table are PCO mid- to high-level officials Marilyn MacPherson, and Simon Kennedy in his trademark scarlet-framed specs. I wonder if he's ever tempted to wear matching socks, or if that would be just too subversive for Langevin.

3:35

And with that, Chairman Anders gavels the meeting into existence; after a brief introduction of the witnesses, he hands the floor over to MacPherson, who gets right down to business: PCO is requesting an additional $14 million for various expenses, nearly half of which will apparently go to programs that have been underfunded in the past. On the wishlist: more money for human resources to provide support to the prime minister, including broadcast, sound, lighting and recording services to support him at events in Canada. Wait, what? PCO is asking for more money to pay for a flying TV studio for PMO? Really?

3:38

Oh, and also, furniture and office space. Not sure if that's for PCOTV or a separate expense. They also need more money to pay for the "newly created" office of democratic reform, and to continue the government-wide communications strategy for -- oh, hello, the Canada Economic Action! Plan. Wow, they're just serving up this one up to the opposition whole, aren't they? That is, provided they're actually paying attention. Anyway, the gist is that PCO needs more money for EA!P advertising, guides, "new media tools" and branding.

3:39	Signage! She even mentioned signage! I can't believe they're going to make it so easy for the opposition to turn this into another free for all over partisan advertising.

3:41	I know it isn't really fair, but I always find myself more warmly disposed to witnesses who provide the media with complimentary copies of their opening statements. Take that as you will.

3:43	Other items on the to-be-funded list include more money on various commissions of inquiry already in progress, something about public service renewal, and a transfer to Treasury Board to fund a trio of advisory councils. Zzzzzz. Sorry, sorry; I'm sure it's vital.

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