Evidence of meeting #14 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 togneri.
A recording is available from Parliament.
11:35 a.m.
Former Parliamentary Affairs Director, Department of Public Works and Government Services, As an Individual
I have experience working in Public Works and now in Natural Resources.
11:35 a.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
In both of those ministries, obviously access to information is important to the Canadian people.
11:35 a.m.
Former Parliamentary Affairs Director, Department of Public Works and Government Services, As an Individual
Yes, absolutely.
11:35 a.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
Would you say there is a high degree of priority given to transparency and openness at both of those ministries?
11:35 a.m.
Former Parliamentary Affairs Director, Department of Public Works and Government Services, As an Individual
At Public Works, definitely.
I did not deal with ATIP for very long at Natural Resources, but they had some excellent people there. So I would say, despite the bad mark that Natural Resources had, I believe they're dedicated to transparency and to improving the record that the department has now.
11:35 a.m.
Conservative
11:35 a.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
One minute?
Given that we are running low on time at this point, I'd like to seek your insights on how committees could better interact with ministers' offices and ministries in general. Do you have any suggestions given that you have now experienced both a ministry and a parliamentary committee?
11:35 a.m.
Former Parliamentary Affairs Director, Department of Public Works and Government Services, As an Individual
Well.... I'm happy to be here and I respect Parliament in this case, but if I had my choice, I would prefer that ministers appear here instead of staff. But that's my personal view.
On how to improve communication, well, again, I'm not an expert on dealing with requests of committees. I think we answer our questions well for the committees and I think the ministers appear when they have something relevant to say, and I think that's a good job.
11:35 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo
Thank you very much.
We'll have to move on to Mr. Valeriote.
You have five minutes, sir.
May 11th, 2010 / 11:35 a.m.
Liberal
Frank Valeriote Liberal Guelph, ON
Thank you, Mr. Togneri, for appearing here today. It sounds to me like perhaps somebody else's conduct or judgment has put you in this hot seat today, but....
You answered a question from Mr. Easter and said you didn't have the authority to unrelease that report, but nevertheless you did it.
Nevertheless you did it. I'm wondering how many other times you may have exceeded that authority. Can you tell me how many other times you may have exceeded that authority?
11:35 a.m.
Former Parliamentary Affairs Director, Department of Public Works and Government Services, As an Individual
My...this incident...I...it wasn't my intention to delay or obstruct or.... Again, I was wrong in the fact that I did not understand the law fully and that I thought I was....
11:35 a.m.
Liberal
Frank Valeriote Liberal Guelph, ON
Okay. Are you telling us that's the only time you did it, Mr. Togneri? Is that the only time that you intervened, yes or no?
11:40 a.m.
Former Parliamentary Affairs Director, Department of Public Works and Government Services, As an Individual
In my...yes, it's the only time that I.... This was, you know...this was a mistake I made--
11:40 a.m.
Liberal
Frank Valeriote Liberal Guelph, ON
Is it the only time you intervened, yes or no? You're taking up a lot of time, Mr. Togneri. Yes or no? Please.
11:40 a.m.
Former Parliamentary Affairs Director, Department of Public Works and Government Services, As an Individual
I wanted to give exactly what the demand...what le requérant wanted, and in my mind, yes, the only time I intervened, but I don't have—
11:40 a.m.
Liberal
Frank Valeriote Liberal Guelph, ON
Okay. You said you had no point of contact at the PCO. Who is your point of contact at the PMO's issues management office? And if there's more than one, please give me the names.
11:40 a.m.
Former Parliamentary Affairs Director, Department of Public Works and Government Services, As an Individual
Could you be more precise on the timeframe?
11:40 a.m.
Liberal
Frank Valeriote Liberal Guelph, ON
Who is the person with whom you communicate at the PMO's issues management office? You are in communication with them.
11:40 a.m.
Former Parliamentary Affairs Director, Department of Public Works and Government Services, As an Individual
In what—
11:40 a.m.
Former Parliamentary Affairs Director, Department of Public Works and Government Services, As an Individual
No, sorry. In what time period are you talking about?
11:40 a.m.
Former Parliamentary Affairs Director, Department of Public Works and Government Services, As an Individual
I believe it was Isabelle Bouchard.
11:40 a.m.
Liberal
Frank Valeriote Liberal Guelph, ON
All right.
Now, have you ever suggested to an ATIP officer or departmental official that they have not applied the Access to Information Act correctly?