Evidence of meeting #17 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 requests.

A recording is available from Parliament.

access to informationrequestsatiprequestissues managementweekly meetingprocess

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Tom Makichuk  Director, Access to Information and Privacy, Department of Public Works and Government Services
Jackie Holden  Director, Access to Information and Privacy, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
Ann Wesch  Director, Access to Information and Privacy, Privy Council Office
Monique McCulloch  Director, Access to Information and Privacy, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Denise Brennan  Director, Access to Information and Privacy, Treasury Board Secretariat
Donald Lemieux  Executive Director, Information, Privacy and Security Policy, Treasury Board Secretariat

The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo

Thank you.

Ms. Foote.

As spoken

Judy Foote Liberal Random—Burin—St. George's, NL

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I want to go back to my colleague's question, because Mr. Makichuk didn't get an opportunity to respond. I think several of you have said that on your committees within your departments you do have a representative from the minister's office. I guess the question is a simple one. Do you feel at all intimidated by the fact that there's someone from the minister's office sitting on a committee where you're going to discuss ATIP requests?

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12:50 p.m.

Director, Access to Information and Privacy, Department of Public Works and Government Services

Tom Makichuk

I do not feel intimidated by a representative from the minister's office participating in a meeting.

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Judy Foote Liberal Random—Burin—St. George's, NL

Ms. Holden, I know you referenced as well that there was someone from the minister's office.

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12:50 p.m.

Director, Access to Information and Privacy, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development

Jackie Holden

Yes--not whatsoever.

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Judy Foote Liberal Random—Burin—St. George's, NL

Have you had an example where requests have been delayed for any matter of time at the request of the minister's office?

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12:50 p.m.

Director, Access to Information and Privacy, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development

Jackie Holden

We've never had a delay or a request for delay. As a part of what I discussed earlier, with our process we ensure full information and no surprises from the outset, and always respect our legislated deadlines.

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Judy Foote Liberal Random—Burin—St. George's, NL

Ms. Wesch, you mentioned earlier, and my apologies if it wasn't you, about how sensitive requests would come from the media and parliamentarians. They would be....

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12:55 p.m.

Director, Access to Information and Privacy, Privy Council Office

Ann Wesch

No, at the Privy Council Office we treat all our requests the same. We don't categorize them. None of them receive special handling. So that was not me.

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Judy Foote Liberal Random—Burin—St. George's, NL

Okay.

Mr. Makichuk, did you mention that requests from parliamentarians and media are being flagged as being sensitive?

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12:55 p.m.

Director, Access to Information and Privacy, Department of Public Works and Government Services

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Judy Foote Liberal Random—Burin—St. George's, NL

Okay. Would that be all parliamentarians?

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12:55 p.m.

Director, Access to Information and Privacy, Department of Public Works and Government Services

Tom Makichuk

I'm not in a position to answer that, because quite frankly I don't know.

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Judy Foote Liberal Random—Burin—St. George's, NL

Okay. Who would know then? Why would you not know, as the director?

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12:55 p.m.

Director, Access to Information and Privacy, Department of Public Works and Government Services

Tom Makichuk

Well, as director of the program in my department, I don't keep statistics on how many requests came from political parties, which political party, and which ones were identified as being sensitive or not.

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Judy Foote Liberal Random—Burin—St. George's, NL

So who would have told you then, or where would that decision have come from, that requests from parliamentarians and media are sensitive?

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June 1st, 2010 / 12:55 p.m.

Director, Access to Information and Privacy, Department of Public Works and Government Services

Tom Makichuk

I discovered that in a recent e-mail.

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Judy Foote Liberal Random—Burin—St. George's, NL

And who was that e-mail from?

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12:55 p.m.

Director, Access to Information and Privacy, Department of Public Works and Government Services

Tom Makichuk

Sébastien Togneri.

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Judy Foote Liberal Random—Burin—St. George's, NL

Is that the case in all departments, may I ask, Ms. Holden? Is that the case...?

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12:55 p.m.

Director, Access to Information and Privacy, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development

Jackie Holden

Did you want me to respond?

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The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo

How about putting it in the reverse? Let's assume it's the case unless you say otherwise.

Anybody, is it otherwise in other departments?

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12:55 p.m.

Director, Access to Information and Privacy, Treasury Board Secretariat

Denise Brennan

Our categorization is based on request subject only.

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A witness

Ditto.

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The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo

All right, colleagues, I'm sorry, I'm going to have to stop it there.

Mr. Plamondon had asked a question about whether the practice has changed. And since she has not been in the position as long, Ms. Brennan had referred to her colleague, Mr. Donald Lemieux, executive director, information and privacy division.

Could you answer Mr. Plamondon's question very quickly, please?

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