Evidence of meeting #49 for Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was request.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Lillian Thomsen  Director General, Executive Services Bureau, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Jocelyne Sabourin  Director, Access to Information and Privacy Protection Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

9:30 a.m.

Director, Access to Information and Privacy Protection Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

Jocelyne Sabourin

The team leader sent the request.

9:30 a.m.

Bloc

Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC

What was her name?

9:30 a.m.

Director, Access to Information and Privacy Protection Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

Jocelyne Sabourin

Her name is Jennifer Nixon.

9:30 a.m.

Bloc

Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC

Fine, that's perfect.

9:30 a.m.

Director, Access to Information and Privacy Protection Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

Jocelyne Sabourin

There are several programs. The most appropriate program for that request is the Human Rights Division, and they set about collecting relevant documents.

9:30 a.m.

Bloc

Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC

Who exactly in that section?

9:30 a.m.

Director, Access to Information and Privacy Protection Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

9:30 a.m.

Bloc

Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC

Who exactly did she send it to? Who did she make that request to?

9:30 a.m.

Director, Access to Information and Privacy Protection Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

Jocelyne Sabourin

It was sent to the division office.

9:30 a.m.

Bloc

Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC

You don't have a name?

9:30 a.m.

Director, Access to Information and Privacy Protection Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

Jocelyne Sabourin

We do not have—

9:30 a.m.

Bloc

Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC

Who is the director?

9:30 a.m.

Director, Access to Information and Privacy Protection Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

Jocelyne Sabourin

The director of the Human Rights Division?

9:30 a.m.

Bloc

Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC

Yes.

9:30 a.m.

Director, Access to Information and Privacy Protection Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

9:30 a.m.

Bloc

Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC

She is the one who received it?

9:30 a.m.

Director General, Executive Services Bureau, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

Lillian Thomsen

I would just like to clarify a point. When we send a request for documents, we usually send it to the general electronic mailbox of the division or the office because there is always an administrative assistant in that office. People are often absent, especially in small teams: one individual may be absent, one may be travelling, or one may be temporarily assigned elsewhere.

9:30 a.m.

Bloc

Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC

Then who is the administrative assistant who received it? What is her name, Ms. Thomsen?

9:30 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Tom Wappel

Excuse me.

Madam Lavallée, it's very difficult to follow the evidence, particularly when it's being translated, if both people are speaking at the same time. I would appreciate it if we could let the witness finish, and then you can ask your question.

Are you finished, Ms. Thomsen?

9:30 a.m.

Bloc

Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC

Mr. Chairman, I constantly have to follow debates in another language when people are interrupting each other and I don't complain.

So, Ms. Sabourin.

9:30 a.m.

Director General, Executive Services Bureau, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

Lillian Thomsen

May I speak?

9:30 a.m.

Bloc

Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC

Go ahead.

9:30 a.m.

Director General, Executive Services Bureau, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

Lillian Thomsen

The administrative assistant decides who, amongst those individuals who are present, can take on the file.

9:30 a.m.

Bloc

Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC

Who took care of this?

9:30 a.m.

Director, Access to Information and Privacy Protection Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

Jocelyne Sabourin

What do you mean by “took care of it”?