Evidence of meeting #8 for Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was lobbyists.
A recording is available from Parliament.
12:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo
Thank you.
Colleagues, I believe we've now completed our review of the main estimates for the Commissioner of Lobbying.
If there's no further discussion or concerns, I would like to put the question. Shall vote 40, under Treasury Board, less the amount voted in interim supply, carry?
TREASURY BOARD
Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying
Vote 40--Program expenditures..............$4,203,000
(Vote 40 agreed to)
Shall I report the estimates to the House?
12:50 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
12:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo
Finally. I'm again going to make another commitment to the commissioner.
Last year I raised the issue that the Standing Orders of the House did not incorporate the new officer of Parliament, being the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada. Indeed, section 108 of the Standing Orders also refers to the Lobbyists Registration Act, which was changed to the Lobbying Act, so we have some updates to do.
For a next meeting or a future meeting I would hope that each of the members and parties would consider a motion that the committee recommend that the House update the Standing Orders concerning the mandate of committees to incorporate the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada and to replace references to the Lobbyists Registration Act with the Lobbying Act.
I'd like to deal with that, so could members please consult with your parties on that?
Maybe we can deliver for you, Commissioner, and get you into the Standing Orders.
Madame Thi Lac.
12:50 p.m.
Bloc
Ève-Mary Thaï Thi Lac Bloc Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC
Mr. Chair, we are not against the principle, but you know that Standing Order 108 sets out the roles. I think it is the responsibility of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs to review standing orders.
I think our committee's intentions are good. So, as committee chair, I suggest you write to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs to recommend that it study this issue. I do not think it is our role, as committee members, to propose changes to the standing orders. There is a parliamentary committee with a mandate to do just that, the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, and I would make the recommendation to them. Further to the standing order, that is their mandate and their role. You know where I stand, but I am not against the principle.
12:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo
I think either way probably would work. We'll take this up at the next meeting. Okay?
Commissioner, Mr. Leblanc, Mr. Bergen, thank you kindly for your presentation to the committee and for receiving the questions. I'm sure there will be many other issues to follow up on as a consequence of our meeting. It's been a productive meeting, and I thank you kindly for your attendance.
The meeting is adjourned.
