Evidence of meeting #4 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 c-2.
6:10 p.m.
Deputy Information Commissioner, Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada
You just heard my evidence, which is what I told the journalists.
6:10 p.m.
Conservative
Jason Kenney Conservative Calgary Southeast, AB
Well, the evidence I have before me, sir, is actually the article.
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Liberal
The Chair Liberal Tom Wappel
Order. Just a minute.
Mr. Kenney, I don't believe the witness has ever said that he made those comments. You have imported.... So then ask him that question.
6:10 p.m.
Conservative
Jason Kenney Conservative Calgary Southeast, AB
A fair point, sir.
Did you say the following: “The magnitude of the proposed secrecy shift in the (Accountability Act) sends a powerful signal to the bureaucracy that the government values secrecy over openness.” Do you recall having said that?
6:10 p.m.
Deputy Information Commissioner, Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada
No, I do not.
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Conservative
6:10 p.m.
Deputy Information Commissioner, Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada
I have testified as to what I told all journalists who I spoke to.
6:10 p.m.
Liberal
6:10 p.m.
Conservative
Jason Kenney Conservative Calgary Southeast, AB
There you go. Well, I wish you were an officer of Parliament too, Jim.
Mr. Chairman, my question, though, is—
6:10 p.m.
Conservative
6:10 p.m.
Conservative
Jason Kenney Conservative Calgary Southeast, AB
It's actually a cross-examination process where we seek evidence.
So, Mr. Leadbeater, you say that you talked to this journalist in advance but you did not say the comments that were attributed to a source? You're insisting that this was a different source.
6:10 p.m.
Deputy Information Commissioner, Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada
I don't think it helps if you ask me the same question over and over again. I think my evidence is on the record.
6:10 p.m.
Conservative
Jason Kenney Conservative Calgary Southeast, AB
Well, no. I'm asking you, sir, to clarify. You categorically are certain that was not your comment?
6:10 p.m.
Deputy Information Commissioner, Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada
Mr. Chairman, I've answered this question twice, three times now.
6:10 p.m.
Conservative
Jason Kenney Conservative Calgary Southeast, AB
Are you categorically certain? Can you say yes or no?
6:10 p.m.
Deputy Information Commissioner, Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada
I did not say the words that you have just quoted. I said to all journalists, “You can read the government's...” In fact, I even probably said “open government act” to every journalist in the past, since we've tabled it.
6:10 p.m.
Deputy Information Commissioner, Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada
I briefed every journalist I could on what the commissioner's position is on the open government act.
6:10 p.m.
Conservative
Jason Kenney Conservative Calgary Southeast, AB
Okay. I'd like to ask Commissioner Reid if he's at all concerned about the fact that we're now in this area of ambiguity, whether or not members of his staff.... Did he pursue the possibility that members of his staff had effectively leaked contents of the report to journalists prior to its tabling in Parliament?
6:10 p.m.
Information Commissioner, Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada
The only possible leak would have been the provision of advance copies to Minister Baird's office.
6:10 p.m.
Liberal
