Evidence of meeting #13 for Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was question.
A recording is available from Parliament.
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
Informally, in the absence of a specific delegation order, did he ask you at any time to assume responsibility for that in his office?
Former Parliamentary Affairs Director, Department of Public Works and Government Services, As an Individual
If I understand you correctly, I would have been responsible for reviewing access to information files, so yes, I guess, would be the answer.
Former Parliamentary Affairs Director, Department of Public Works and Government Services, As an Individual
There was no written or delegated authority per se, but informally, yes.
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
Can you help me understand what Minister Paradis meant when he said publicly that you, specifically, and I quote, “won't be in charge of access-to-information files anymore”. Can you tell me what the minister meant by you being “in charge” of access to information files?
Former Parliamentary Affairs Director, Department of Public Works and Government Services, As an Individual
I would suggest that you should maybe ask the minister that question. I can't answer for Minister Paradis.
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
Did you have a sense in the minister's office that you were the person in charge, in terms of political staff, of access to information?
Former Parliamentary Affairs Director, Department of Public Works and Government Services, As an Individual
The answer to that, Mr. Chair, would be yes; I looked after them.
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
Did you have a written job description, Mr. Togneri, with regard to your role as director of public affairs in the minister's office?
Former Parliamentary Affairs Director, Department of Public Works and Government Services, As an Individual
I actually don't recall. I started in July 2008, and I believe I signed a job offer. I can't remember if that job offer had the specific details, but I don't think so.
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
So you're not aware of any specific requirements that were made of you, in writing, around the Access to Information Act?
Former Parliamentary Affairs Director, Department of Public Works and Government Services, As an Individual
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
Did you receive any training with regard to your role with regard to the Access to Information Act or with regard to the Access to Information Act itself?
Former Parliamentary Affairs Director, Department of Public Works and Government Services, As an Individual
Yes. When we all started at Public Works, we all got briefings on access to information, yes.
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
As part of those briefings, was section 67.1 of the Access to Information Act part of the training you received with regard to the act?
Former Parliamentary Affairs Director, Department of Public Works and Government Services, As an Individual
I'm sorry, could you remind me of what...?
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
Section 67.1 with regard to political interference and the penalties and the seriousness with which the act takes that: was that part of your training?
Former Parliamentary Affairs Director, Department of Public Works and Government Services, As an Individual
Could you just hold for a moment, please?
I would request to see the document so that I can review it and so that I can answer more properly.
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
I could read you the whole section 67.1; I'm sure you're aware of it now, however.
But you don't recall that ever being part of the discussion when you were being trained with regard to the Access to Information Act?
Former Parliamentary Affairs Director, Department of Public Works and Government Services, As an Individual
I don't recall.
Former Parliamentary Affairs Director, Department of Public Works and Government Services, As an Individual
But if it's an important part of the act, then I imagine I was, yes.
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
Mr. Togneri, did you participate in meetings with PMO issues management staff as part of your work for Minister Paradis?
Former Parliamentary Affairs Director, Department of Public Works and Government Services, As an Individual
Yes, I did.
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
Was the Access to Information Act a subject of discussion at those meetings?