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.
Liberal
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?
Director, Access to Information and Privacy, Department of Public Works and Government Services
I do not feel intimidated by a representative from the minister's office participating in a meeting.
Liberal
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.
Director, Access to Information and Privacy, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
Yes--not whatsoever.
Liberal
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?
Director, Access to Information and Privacy, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
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.
Liberal
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....
Director, Access to Information and Privacy, Privy Council Office
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.
Liberal
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?
Director, Access to Information and Privacy, Department of Public Works and Government Services
Yes.
Liberal
Director, Access to Information and Privacy, Department of Public Works and Government Services
I'm not in a position to answer that, because quite frankly I don't know.
Liberal
Judy Foote Liberal Random—Burin—St. George's, NL
Okay. Who would know then? Why would you not know, as the director?
Director, Access to Information and Privacy, Department of Public Works and Government Services
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.
Liberal
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?
Director, Access to Information and Privacy, Department of Public Works and Government Services
I discovered that in a recent e-mail.
Director, Access to Information and Privacy, Department of Public Works and Government Services
Sébastien Togneri.
Liberal
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...?
Director, Access to Information and Privacy, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
Did you want me to respond?
Liberal
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?
Director, Access to Information and Privacy, Treasury Board Secretariat
Our categorization is based on request subject only.
Liberal
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?