Evidence of meeting #31 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 institutions.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Information Commissioner, Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada
This is an excellent suggestion. It was published when the resolutions were made with the commissioners, but it was not directed toward any other authority. I will do that.
Bloc
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
May I know why you did not send the resolutions? They are extremely important.
Information Commissioner, Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada
They certainly are, you are perfectly right, I will do it.
Information Commissioner, Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada
No.
Information Commissioner, Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada
No.
Bloc
Information Commissioner, Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada
Parliament gave me my mandate.
Bloc
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
It was the Parliament. Thus, the MPs, in principle, are the ones who enable you to carry out your duties. You have the obligation to be accountable to the MPs.
Information Commissioner, Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada
I certainly do.
Bloc
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
I suppose that you will send us a written version of the five proposals by mail. Will it be possible to table before my colleagues in this committee the government's reply to the five resolutions?
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Information Commissioner, Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada
I will transmit the information to the committee at that time, Mr. Chair. Personally, I have no problem with this.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Shawn Murphy
I have one point I want to get on the record, and you may want to reflect on this, Madame Legault, and get back to us. When you were before the committee back in April, one of the five principles you proposed was to involve the public in consultations leading to this open government discussion. Do you have any recommendations to advance to the committee as to how the committee can incorporate this principle into its study as we move forward?
Secondly, can you recommend ways the committee can reach out to young Canadians through electronic means and social media? You may want to give an answer now, but you may want to reflect and get back to us in writing.
Information Commissioner, Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada
One thing I think would be a good example, Mr. Chairman, is the way the Americans did it. They had a consultation online with their citizens when they were putting in place the open government strategy. We'll look to our colleagues to give us some insight in terms of how they did that, and we'll report back to the committee.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Shawn Murphy
Okay.
We're getting close to 5:30, so on behalf of every member of the committee I want to thank you very much for all the hard work you've done in your appearance here today.
Also, I know you have staff here and your office is watching this very carefully. If you have any other thoughts or reflections or advice for the committee on this particular issue, don't hesitate to send us your correspondence, and that will be circulated to all members of the committee.
Finally, I'm going to ask you, Madame Legault, if you have any closing or final comments you want to make to the committee before we adjourn.
Information Commissioner, Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada
The only thing I would add, Mr. Chairman, is what I've said before. All of the information we've gathered on this issue we've gathered from a lot of people in Canada who are experts in the field. I think they would have much valuable insight to add to the work of the committee. They're very knowledgeable and connected to this initiative, and I can assure you they would bring a perspective that would be quite enlightening and challenging in terms of what can be done with open government.
November 16th, 2010 / 5:20 p.m.
Liberal