National Research Council Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. N-15)

Marginal note:Agent of Her Majesty

• 15 (1) The Council is for all purposes of this Act an agent of Her Majesty and it may exercise its powers under this Act only as an agent of Her Majesty.

• Marginal note:Proceedings by and against the Council

  (2) Actions, suits or other legal proceedings in respect of any right or obligation acquired or incurred by the Council on behalf of Her Majesty, whether in its name or in the name of Her Majesty, may be brought or taken by or against the Council in the name of the Council in any court that would have jurisdiction if the Council were not an agent of Her Majesty.

Audit

Marginal note:Audit relating to Council

16 All the receipts and expenditures of the Council are subject to examination and audit by the Auditor General of Canada.

Annual Report

Marginal note:Annual report to Parliament

17 The President shall, within four months after the termination of each fiscal year, transmit to the Minister a report of the operations of the Council for that fiscal year and the Minister shall cause that report to be laid before Parliament within fifteen days after the receipt thereof or, if Parliament is not then sitting, on any of the first fifteen days next thereafter that either House of Parliament is sitting.

Establishment of Procurement Oversight Board

Marginal note:Establishment

• 18 (1) There is established a board, to be called the Procurement Oversight Board, consisting of

  • (a) not less than three or more than five members, including a Chair, who have a right to vote;

  • (b) one member who is a person employed by the Department of Public Works and Government Services and who does not have a right to vote; and

  • (c) one member who is a person employed in the federal public administration and who does not have a right to vote, if the Minister considers that member necessary to assist the Procurement Oversight Board in carrying out its duties.

• Marginal note:Duties

  (2) The Procurement Oversight Board shall review and approve

  • (a) the Council’s policy framework for procuring goods and services and any amendments to it; and

  • (b) the Council’s proposals to enter into contracts for the procurement of goods and services if the procurement is complex or large-scale when measured by criteria established by the Procurement Oversight Board.

• Marginal note:Terms of reference

  (3) The Minister may determine and amend the terms of reference of the Procurement Oversight Board.

Marginal note:Appointment

• 19 (1) Members of the Procurement Oversight Board, including the Chair, shall be appointed by the Minister.

• Marginal note:Tenure of office

  (2) Members of the Procurement Oversight Board shall be appointed to hold office on a part-time basis and during pleasure for a term of not more than four years, which may be renewed for a second term.

Marginal note:Remuneration

• 20 (1) Members of the Procurement Oversight Board shall be paid the remuneration that is fixed by the Minister.

• Marginal note:Travel and other expenses

  (2) Members of the Procurement Oversight Board are entitled to be paid reasonable travel and other expenses incurred while absent from their ordinary place of residence in the course of performing their duties under this Act.

Marginal note:Meetings

21 The Procurement Oversight Board shall meet at least twice a year.

Annual Summary

Marginal note:Activities

22 The Procurement Oversight Board shall, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, provide a summary of its activities in that year to the Minister.