Evidence of meeting #26 for Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was terms.
A recording is available from Parliament.
3:55 p.m.
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
It's just in a report to the House. Okay. Thank you, Chair.
Ms. Shepherd, this is the first time I've had to question an officer of Parliament about the process they went through to get the job. Could you tell us a bit about what process is engaged for your getting this position? Do you send off an application somewhere? Do you go to a board? What is the exact process that happens? You might describe the process you went through in terms of coming to this point of nomination.
4 p.m.
Proposed appointee for the position of Commissioner of Lobbying, As an Individual
Yes, I can speak to my own experience.
In terms of how the process was managed, in terms of the details, I would have to defer to the Privy Council Office, who are managing the process.
In terms of my own experience, I was approached and asked if I would consider having my name go forward, which I did. Since the process began, I had a couple of meetings with the office. The next meeting is with the Privy Council Office, because I will actually have to leave my position as a public servant in order to accept this position.
4 p.m.
NDP
4 p.m.
Proposed appointee for the position of Commissioner of Lobbying, As an Individual
No, it's before the nomination actually goes forward. Our legislation actually requires that before it comes to committee, the three party leaders are consulted, and that was done.
4 p.m.
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
It must feel good to have the confidence of the party leaders, knowing that you got that to get to this point.
4 p.m.
Proposed appointee for the position of Commissioner of Lobbying, As an Individual
Yes.
4 p.m.
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
I think that already speaks volumes.
At any time in that process, did you ever see that the government had a skills-based qualifications list? Or is there a job description other than the act for the Commissioner of Lobbying?
4 p.m.
Proposed appointee for the position of Commissioner of Lobbying, As an Individual
Yes. When they posted the job they had specific criteria in terms of whether the individual had experience managing an oversight function on decisions impacting others, had leadership skills, had the ability to represent in national and international forums, had the ability to manage investigations, and so on.
4 p.m.
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
Was there any job evaluation process that you went through as acting commissioner, any sort of formal kind of process that you're aware of?
4 p.m.
Proposed appointee for the position of Commissioner of Lobbying, As an Individual
I'd have to defer to what PCO did informally before approaching me and afterwards.
4 p.m.
Proposed appointee for the position of Commissioner of Lobbying, As an Individual
No. I think the formality for the officers of Parliament, I would assume, is appearing before this committee and the Senate, in terms of a full resolution.
4 p.m.
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
Okay.
You said something earlier, I think, in response to Ms. Simson, when you were talking about the comfort level or the happiness of the employees with whom you were working. You said that your employees were comfortable speaking the truth to power.
4 p.m.
Proposed appointee for the position of Commissioner of Lobbying, As an Individual
Yes.
4 p.m.
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
Can you say a bit more about how that comes up in that kind of evaluation?
4 p.m.
Proposed appointee for the position of Commissioner of Lobbying, As an Individual
I don't remember the exact question, but it was basically, “Do you feel you can speak to your boss without fear of reprisal?” And a very high percentage, I think it was almost an A-plus-plus percentage, indicated that they felt very comfortable in our organization doing that.
4 p.m.
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
It says something about your management style, I suspect, that your employees felt that way.
When the Privacy Commissioner was here, one of things we noted was that this workplace had almost 69% women. I asked the Privacy Commissioner if she thought this set up a different kind of workplace culture. Is that the case in your office? Do you know the statistics on men and women, or minorities, equity groups, in your office? And does that set up a particular culture in your office of which you're aware?
4 p.m.
Proposed appointee for the position of Commissioner of Lobbying, As an Individual
Again, from the results, one of the areas where we did well is that employees felt no matter what gender, race, religion, or disability, they were all an equal member of the team.
I have not seen anything in terms of the gender that has affected the way the culture has managed it at all.
4 p.m.
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
I know there was some discussion recently about possible changes that might be made to Canada's Lobbying Act. One of the concerns that was raised, and correct me if I'm wrong, is that in Canada the Lobbying Act doesn't follow the money that's spent on lobbying and there's no requirement for disclosure. Is that the case?
4 p.m.
Proposed appointee for the position of Commissioner of Lobbying, As an Individual
That's correct.
4 p.m.
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
Yet in other jurisdictions one of the key aspects is the lobbyists' registration and the work that goes on to ensure that's done in an open and transparent way. I believe the United States is one of those jurisdictions.
4 p.m.
Proposed appointee for the position of Commissioner of Lobbying, As an Individual
Yes, they are.
4 p.m.
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
Do you know if that was considered in Canada when we were looking at changes?
4 p.m.
Proposed appointee for the position of Commissioner of Lobbying, As an Individual
I believe that issue has come up. I know definitively the last time the legislation was looked at, and I believe before, Parliament chose not to add that as one of the measures to strengthen the act.
