First of all, Chair, the CBA position deals only with the Conflict of Interest Act. We haven't commented on the members' code, although, as members will appreciate, there are similar provisions.
Speaking to the Conflict of Interest Act, we draw attention to the fact that in annex B of “Accountable Government”, there are, concerning political fundraising by ministers and parliamentary secretaries, what we think are very clear and thorough guidelines that seek to separate quite clearly the lobbying and decision-making related to government policy from political fundraising.
The member is correct that currently, as concerns political fundraising, under the act there are no guidelines. In fact, there is only one rule, a very simple rule in section 16 that applies to all fundraising. It simply says that you can't personally solicit funds.
We believe that at least in the area of political fundraising, again, as it affects reporting public office holders—that's the only group of office holders covered by the Conflict of Interest Act—the specific rules in annex B of “Accountable Government” should be imported into the act. They would provide a lot of the guidance and clarity which the member has asked for, at least under the act, not speaking to the MPs' code.