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.
4:30 p.m.
Bloc
Richard Nadeau Bloc Gatineau, QC
Earlier, you were asked how many cases you had processed. You do not know the exact number right now, but that is okay. That is not the point I am trying to make.
Do you have the resources you need to make your decisions within the prescribed deadlines?
4:30 p.m.
Proposed appointee for the position of Commissioner of Lobbying, As an Individual
I think that is now the case. In recent years, the staffing process was going on. In addition, the act has changed twice since 2004. That situation created challenges. Under my mandate, which is seven years, I would really like to address these issues. Over the summer, I will probably check to see whether my priorities and my resources line up.
4:30 p.m.
Liberal
4:30 p.m.
Liberal
Michelle Simson Liberal Scarborough Southwest, ON
I have a couple of quick questions.
This committee has been reviewing acts that have been around for over a quarter of a century and have been virtually unchanged. Because this is a relatively new act, and you've been the acting commissioner since inception, what would you say is the biggest weakness currently in the legislation, or the biggest area of concern that you have as an individual?
4:30 p.m.
Proposed appointee for the position of Commissioner of Lobbying, As an Individual
The Lobbying Act came into force in July 2008, but the act has been around since 1989 and has been strengthened over time with all of the amendments that Parliament has chosen.
4:30 p.m.
Proposed appointee for the position of Commissioner of Lobbying, As an Individual
To be honest, I find ten months is early to see where the problems are. What I've noticed, though, in the monthly reporting is that people are tending to over-report, so the importance is in getting the education out there.
In terms of looking, I'd like to be a little bit longer with the legislation so I can better answer the question as to where there may be potential difficulties.
4:30 p.m.
Liberal
Michelle Simson Liberal Scarborough Southwest, ON
On a go-forward basis, though, as the commissioner, how often would you recommend that the Lobbying Act be reviewed by Parliament?
4:30 p.m.
Proposed appointee for the position of Commissioner of Lobbying, As an Individual
There is a mandatory requirement in the law that it be reviewed every five years.
4:30 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo
I have one last question on the investigations. You mentioned about investigating ethical conduct. That ethical conduct is established, I assume, by a body outside of the Government of Canada for the lobbyists organization. Are you actually looking at their ethical conduct vis-à-vis the rules set by the industry?
4:30 p.m.
Proposed appointee for the position of Commissioner of Lobbying, As an Individual
The rules set by the industry, no. When I refer to “ethical conduct”, it's in terms of the lobbyist code of conduct and whether they are communicating with all those public office holders, or if they are respecting that particular code and communicating in an ethical manner.
4:30 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo
Okay.
I want to thank you very much for coming before us to introduce yourself more formally. It's a very difficult process, and we take this very seriously. I know the committee will want to report back to the House as quickly as possible on our position. But as you know, the committee only gives its opinion. The decision is a decision of the whole House.
So thank you kindly for being here, and we wish you all the best in your future endeavours.
4:35 p.m.
Proposed appointee for the position of Commissioner of Lobbying, As an Individual
Thank you.
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo
Thank you.
We'll suspend now. We have to go in camera for the next couple of items.
4:35 p.m.
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
If we're going to do a motion to report back to the House on this, I think we should do it in public session, not in closed session.
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
4:35 p.m.
NDP
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo
Normally even the interview of a candidate is not done in public. Actually, Mr. Radwanski was in camera. It was at the natural resources committee.
4:35 p.m.
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
But, Chair, my experience in other committees is that we did this kind of meeting in public and we passed the motion and had the discussion in public. I don't understand the reticence to have votes of the committee in public session. I'm just flagging that concern.
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo
Thank you.
We are going to suspend and go in camera.
[Proceedings continue in camera]