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
Mr. Chair, the reporter asked for costs. There were no costs available at the time. And that's why there was an accurate cost provided following the ad campaign.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo
We're going to move on.
Mr. Sparrow, the amount that you confirmed to the Globe, was that identical to the amount that you got on the invoice through Public Works?
Director of Communications, Office of the Minister, Human Resources and Skills Development, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
With advertising campaigns, the actual final, final cost is available 90 days later, when it's posted on the website. That's why, in fact, we took this measure: because we wanted to provide the most accurate costs we could at the time. Then, we actually, in fact, instead of telling the reporter to wait for it to be posted online...we took the step to provide him with the information in a very timely manner, a great deal of time before it was actually going to be going up on the website.
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
Thank you, Chair.
Thank you for being here, Mr. Sparrow.
I have to say that I am impressed that the boss came with you today. I think that does say something important and I know that you were raising important issues.
Mr. Sparrow, who's your immediate supervisor?
Director of Communications, Office of the Minister, Human Resources and Skills Development, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
The minister.
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
The minister? Do you have any supervisory relationship with the Prime Minister's Office?
Director of Communications, Office of the Minister, Human Resources and Skills Development, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
No.
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
Does the Prime Minister's Office issue reminders or directives to you as a director of communications about how to do your job or ways in which you might improve your job function?
Director of Communications, Office of the Minister, Human Resources and Skills Development, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
Well, the rules, the guidelines for ministerial staff, are disclosed in the “Policies and Guidelines for Ministers' Offices”, which is available online. Other than that... And those guidelines are pretty clear on your rules and responsibilities as a ministerial staffer.
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
Do you ever receive updates or elucidations of those rules from the Prime Minister's Office?
Director of Communications, Office of the Minister, Human Resources and Skills Development, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
I believe the latest version of the guidelines available is from 2008, so it's relatively recent.
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
So memos never come around saying here's an issue and “we want you guys to pay attention to this”?
Director of Communications, Office of the Minister, Human Resources and Skills Development, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
In relation to my job description? No.
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
Okay.
Do directors of communication from other ministries across government ever meet as a group or on the telephone? Are there regular conference calls or anything like that?
Director of Communications, Office of the Minister, Human Resources and Skills Development, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
Yes, we have meetings.
Director of Communications, Office of the Minister, Human Resources and Skills Development, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
Recently those meetings are now weekly.
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
What's your relationship with the issues management team at the Prime Minister's Office?
Director of Communications, Office of the Minister, Human Resources and Skills Development, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
Sorry, could you clarify?
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
Do you meet with them regularly? Do you hear from them regularly? Do you report to somebody there regularly?
Director of Communications, Office of the Minister, Human Resources and Skills Development, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
No, I don't meet with them at all.
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
So you never meet or never hear from people at the issues management office?
Director of Communications, Office of the Minister, Human Resources and Skills Development, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
I never meet with them. I speak with people in the Prime Minister's Office on issues that may come up on a very wide range of topics, but I don't report to anyone there or meet with them.
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
When you directed officials at HRSDC to change the recommendation about the release of this information, were you acting on behalf of the PMO or the PMO issues management branch?