Information & Ethics committee  Yes. It is interesting to note that our studies on elected representatives and former ministers have brought to light an ethical dilemma. The ministers were well aware that one ethical issue dealt with the line between their status as members of Parliament and their status as ministers.

Information & Ethics committee  No, thank you.

Information & Ethics committee  Post-employment is always a major problem. This is the debate on people's right to have a career afterwards. We cannot impose restrictions on post-employment, given that public office holders have the right to find a subsequent job. However, there is always the question of whether we have the tools to follow up on those careers.

Information & Ethics committee  At the institutional level, I agree with my colleagues. I think all governments are in a conflict of interest when the time comes to define their legislation. We do not have a major reference point because all public office holders across the world take advantage of their situation to weaken the legislation that governs them.

Information & Ethics committee  I think it is difficult to take a position on the specific matter you have brought to our attention. It is always a little tricky to comment. I am not sure if my colleagues have something to say about this.

Information & Ethics committee  Your question contains two aspects. The first aspect has to do with the whole issue of means, which is key. Truth be told, the debate is no longer really about what legislation could be improved. Today, my colleagues are contributing significantly to the improvement of the law.

Information & Ethics committee  Let me quickly talk about socialization. I started by saying that there were four basic points. In my view, the whole debate on socialization and raising ethical awareness is fundamental. In one of my research studies with elected people, including 17 former ministers from the Quebec legislature, 100% of them said that they were never introduced to the concept of socialization or made aware of ethics in 2004.

Information & Ethics committee  Let's presume that you do not receive many gifts—and you are the first to recognize that. I would venture to say that's for the best. I teach public servants and managers, and we get them to think about the fact that gifts are inappropriate in our public organizations. We agree that those public office holders should be even more exemplary.

Information & Ethics committee  You used the words “personal interests”. That expression is barely used nowadays because people are increasingly using “special interests”. Special interests are at play. The shift from the dimension of personal interests to that of special interests already significantly broadens the interests that may be called into question when a public servant's decision is influenced.

Information & Ethics committee  Similarly to my colleagues, I will give you a few recommendations, but from a significantly different perspective, as I will refer to political science research. We have cross-referenced analyses of scandals, of the institutionalization of government ethics measures and of recommendations made by international NGOs, including the OECD.