Evidence of meeting #15 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 sparrow.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Director of Communications, Office of the Minister, Human Resources and Skills Development, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
“Ministers are the principal spokespersons of the Government of Canada. They are supported in this role by...executive assistants, communication directors and press secretaries—”
Liberal
Frank Valeriote Liberal Guelph, ON
Mr. Sparrow, if you're not going to answer that question, perhaps you'll let me go on to the next.
I'm going to recite what the Honourable Diane Finley said on May 4 , and I'm quoting from the blues: “Let me just check some numbers here. In the last six months, out of 235 calls that were received, only 51 general changes to the response”. That was her answer. You said that I have misquoted her.
She has indicated 51 changes. I'm asking you again: were you involved in any of those 51 occasions where information was changed, yes or no?
Director of Communications, Office of the Minister, Human Resources and Skills Development, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
Mr. Chair, if I may, in the previous question, the member said “in the last month”. If you're quoting from the blues--
Director of Communications, Office of the Minister, Human Resources and Skills Development, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
That's correct.
Liberal
Director of Communications, Office of the Minister, Human Resources and Skills Development, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
Yes.
Liberal
Frank Valeriote Liberal Guelph, ON
What reasons would you require that a response prepared by the bureaucrats be changed? What would your reasons be to change it?
Director of Communications, Office of the Minister, Human Resources and Skills Development, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
The minister is the principal spokesperson, so oftentimes there are specific reasons. Oftentimes if you're dealing with issues related to common government messaging such as the economic action plan, there are changes that are often minor, but changes sometimes are made.
Liberal
Frank Valeriote Liberal Guelph, ON
Are you given the latitude to make those decisions on your own, or do you report to the minister, as you're apparently trying to do now?
Director of Communications, Office of the Minister, Human Resources and Skills Development, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
As I said in my statement, ministers are the official spokespersons of the Government of Canada, but they're supported in that role by people such as myself, directors of communications, and I was acting on behalf of the minister.
Liberal
Frank Valeriote Liberal Guelph, ON
So can I take it from that answer that you're telling me that you report each and every intervention to the minister herself and you only proceed with an intervention if you have her approval?
Director of Communications, Office of the Minister, Human Resources and Skills Development, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
I do not instruct...I do not make the minister aware of every single media inquiry the department receives, no.
Director of Communications, Office of the Minister, Human Resources and Skills Development, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
In some cases, yes.
Liberal
Frank Valeriote Liberal Guelph, ON
Directly to the minister. And who else might you discuss these matters with?
Director of Communications, Office of the Minister, Human Resources and Skills Development, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
Other ministers' offices that... Ministers are often required to answer questions on a regular basis from media, members of the public, and constituents. So if there's an issue where ministers could potentially be asked, I could make other ministers' offices aware--
Liberal
Frank Valeriote Liberal Guelph, ON
Okay. And on this occasion with Mr. Leblanc, did you speak directly to the minister?
Director of Communications, Office of the Minister, Human Resources and Skills Development, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
No.
Director of Communications, Office of the Minister, Human Resources and Skills Development, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
I made the decision myself as the director of communications. I made the decision and that decision was made.
Liberal
Frank Valeriote Liberal Guelph, ON
Are media requests ever flagged for the PMO and do you ever speak to anyone in the PMO about this, or anyone on the issues management team about media inquiries? Without going to your notes... I know what's in your notes. I've heard you make that statement. I just want you to answer my question.
Director of Communications, Office of the Minister, Human Resources and Skills Development, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
In my statement, I refer that I do consult regularly with the Prime Minister's Office on issues regarding government-wide communications.
Director of Communications, Office of the Minister, Human Resources and Skills Development, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
Yes.