Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to call the meeting to order.
This is the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics, meeting number 11, Wednesday, October 18, 2006.
The order of the day, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), is a study on issues related to the alleged disclosure of the names of applicants for access to information.
We have four witnesses today. Before we proceed, gentlemen, and I thank you for coming, I'd just like to remind the members of the committee that I'm suggesting that at five o'clock, or earlier, if we finish earlier, we would have committee business. We would plan future business. We would also deal with the motion of Madame Lavallée at that time. That's what I'm suggesting, unless the committee wants to do otherwise.
We have with us today Professor Alasdair Roberts, Public Administration, Syracuse University. We have, from the Department of Justice, Denis Kratchanov, director and general counsel, Information Law and Privacy Section. We have two witnesses from the Privy Council Office: Dale Eisler, Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Office of the Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Communications and Consultation; and Gregory Jack, who is the senior analyst, Office of the Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Communications and Consultation.
Good afternoon, gentlemen, and thank you for coming. You know the topic we've asked you to assist us on and provide your comments. Normally we allow our guests up to ten minutes. I hope you don't all take ten minutes, or we're going to be here a while, because I know all members of the committee will have some questions for you. So I will ask for your indulgence, and try to keep your opening comments to a minimum.
Professor Roberts, you may start, sir. Thank you for coming, sir.