Information & Ethics Committee on Feb. 25th, 2014

[Marc Mayrand]

It may discourage people from seeking employment with our agencies, knowing that they could be subject to an examination that would be the topic of a report to Parliament, without knowing very precisely from the legislation what the parameters would be of any such examination and what would be the extent of confidentiality in looking at those matters. I think that would be a concern for employees.

[Michael Ferguson]

I don't think it would affect our independence, but I think the way it is drafted now, there are some irritants in it that really aren't necessary and wouldn't help our independence.

[Mathieu Ravignat, NDP, Pontiac, QC]

I have a second, very simple question.

Could it potentially weaken existing rules in place, codes, acts, with regard to definitions of partisan activity within your different offices?

[Michael Ferguson]

It won't affect the way we define these types of activities or the way we manage conflict of interest. But I think, as I've said before, it raises some questions based on some things that are defined in other acts versus the way they're defined in this act. I think what it can do is just cause some confusion.

[Mary Dawson]

It's actually not defined in this bill, so I think it would have minimal impact on the other instances where there was a more fulsome definition.

[Mathieu Ravignat, NDP, Pontiac, QC]

Were your offices contacted prior to the drafting of this bill for advice? Was there any form of consultation?

[Marc Mayrand]

No.

[Mary Dawson]

No.

[Michael Ferguson]

No.

[Mathieu Ravignat, NDP, Pontiac, QC]

I have a few other questions to ask. They deal more specifically with the content of the bill.

[The Chair, NDP, Pat Martin]

You only have one minute.

[Mathieu Ravignat, NDP, Pontiac, QC]

Okay. I will therefore move quickly.

Do you know which criteria would be used to determine whether a person occupying a position at the office of an agent of Parliament has behaved in a partisan manner in carrying out their duties and responsibilities? In fact, is there even one single criterion that has been set out?

[Marc Mayrand]

In my opinion, that is a question that the committee must consider. As we have pointed out in our letter and in our remarks today, the bill does not contain a definition or any criteria concerning what partisan conduct is. Currently, we rely on the statements of the Public Service Commission and on our experience. Generally, it is based on political activities.

As for determining whether non-political activity could be partisan in nature, I think that that is one of the issues raised by clause 9 of the bill.

[The Chair, NDP, Pat Martin]

That concludes your time, Mr. Ravignat.

That concludes the time we have for testimony and questioning.

Thank you very much to the three agents of Parliament who made themselves available to us today.

I remind committee members that submissions for future witnesses are to be in by the end of business day today.

Also, I remind committee members that the meeting on Thursday is cancelled because of the address to Parliament by the Aga Khan.

This meeting is adjourned.