Evidence of meeting #6 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 office-holders.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
Right.
Liberal
Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
Yes. Either they've left or we've dealt with them.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo
Now, moving one fiscal period forward, which is April 1, 2008, to March 31, 2009, for any new public office-holders even following the election, there is a requirement to file compliance within, I believe, 60 days, right?
Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
Right.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo
Okay. How many people still have not met that 60-day compliance requirement in the fiscal year 2008-09?
Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
We're talking about under the act, not under the code?
Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
There are none. We don't have a backlog there now. I'm being handed a note: it's 0% in 60 days.
The thing is we instituted a process whereby after 30 days we phoned them up and said, look, you have 30 days left, and you'd better get moving. After 50 days we did the same thing. Part of the impetus was to get the darned things done, but the other part of the impetus was that we didn't feel we wanted to impose the penalty scheme without giving some people some warning. So I'm telling you we've cleaned up our act there. There are none.
Now, on the 120 days it's a little more complicated, because sometimes a case is complicated and you can't get it done in 120 days. But if we're negotiating with them and trying to sort out the information, we're satisfied, and only 10% have not met the 120 days.
Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
I'm very happy with the results.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo
That's great.
Finally, have you had an opportunity to look at the applicable or comparable legislation in other Commonwealth jurisdictions to determine whether there are any differences that might be helpful for us to consider?
Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
My staff have, and I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but I'm doing that in preparation for my annual report.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo
Okay, thank you kindly.
Are there any further questions from members?
We'll have Mr. Siksay, and then we'll be done.
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
I have one quick question, Ms. Dawson.
I think I heard you suggest that there should be some kind of conflict of interest test before the divestment of certain assets. I'm wondering if you could say a bit more about your experience with that and whether this might be a helpful thing to consider. Can you explain the problem and what that might look like?
Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
Divestment, particularly these days, is of significant concern to people because of the economic situation. They're very nervous about handing over their assets to somebody else to look after. Also, divestment can mean either selling something or putting it into trust, and nobody wants to sell their stuff these days, so there's a particular problem right now.
But there's a general problem, I think, which again I will discuss in my annual report this year. I'm just working through the arguments now. I think there is a question of whether it's necessary that the divestiture rules apply as broadly as they do without a conflict test.
Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
There will be more to come.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo
I want to thank you.
I'm reminded that there is still some interest with regard to the travel issue in other jurisdictions. If your commission could please provide us with any information you might have to respond to Mr. Wrzesnewskyj's question, that would be very helpful. It can be directed to the clerk for circulation to the members.
Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
Okay. We'll look into that. I'm not sure how long it'll take, but I'll try to do it in the next couple of weeks.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo
Well, how about we give you--what is the access to information limit?--30 days, but there'll be no 120 extension.
Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
We'll get what we can to you.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo
Thank you very, very much for your appearance and your assistance to the committee, as we get to know you better. As I said to you the last time we saw you, I hope you consider this committee to be your partner. As issues and concerns arise, we would like to work with you to address them and to resolve them, if necessary.
Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
Thank you very much. I look forward to it.
Liberal