Information & Ethics Committee on May 1st, 2018

[Michel Picard, Liberal, Montarville, QC]

Those of us who have LinkedIn accounts know that members are periodically informed of the people or institutions that have read their profile. So I imagine that the technology exists.

I would like to ask you a question about that technology.

During your remarks, you mentioned that the Commission's budget had not changed in the last 10 years, and was still around $6.9 million. Also, you mentioned that 80% of this budget related to salaries, which leaves a little under $1.3 million for routine activities.

Since you seek to turn more to multimedia, have you started to assess, using submissions or basic research, the means to achieve your goal and the associated costs? Where technology is concerned, if we start playing with multimedia, especially with video vignettes and animation, it could be fairly costly. Have you assessed whether the amount you have left is sufficient to meet your needs?

[Mario Dion]

I can tell you about what we want to do this year. In fact, we're already a month into the new fiscal year; the second month begins today.

In reality, making videos is a lot less expensive than before. When I started, it was really costly. Today, for $1,200, it's possible to make videos that are not at a professional standard, but still presentable by using a small camera, a tripod, a good microphone, and a teleprompter. This year, this is the equipment that we're going to use. After that, we'll see what we can do.

For the time being, we'll favour content over form. It'll probably be enough for what we're trying to achieve and won't look silly. We've experimented internally. I've made four short videos that are on our server and are very presentable.

[Michel Picard, Liberal, Montarville, QC]

That's very good.

Mr. Chairman, I'll give my last two minutes to my colleague.

[Anita Vandenbeld, Liberal, Ottawa West—Nepean, ON]

Thank you.

Thank you very much for being here, Commissioner.

You mentioned that there was a 22% increase in the number of questions for advice that you received from MPs.

[Mario Dion]

From all people on either the act or the code. I don't have the breakdown for MPs. It's in our annual report. We'll find out.

[Anita Vandenbeld, Liberal, Ottawa West—Nepean, ON]

These 2,800 requests for advice, is that what that is, that 22%?

[Mario Dion]

The increases, that's right. It includes the increase.

Last year there were.... In fact, I have the precise number. There were 2,898 requests. We provided advice and direction 2,898 times as opposed to 2,381.

[Anita Vandenbeld, Liberal, Ottawa West—Nepean, ON]

What I'm interested to know in the limited time is, 400 requests were specifically about gifts. Do you think, if there were a less subjective rule around gifts where it's reasonably intended to influence.... If there were something like a firm dollar amount where it was very clear, would that reduce the number of requests so that you could focus your efforts on things that might be a little more substantive?

[Mario Dion]

I would say yes, Mr. Chair. It's self-evident.

[Anita Vandenbeld, Liberal, Ottawa West—Nepean, ON]

Thank you. That's it.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Zimmer]

Thank you.

We'll go to Mr. Gourde for five minutes.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lévis—Lotbinière, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Dion and Ms. Tremblay.

What impressed me the most in what you said, Mr. Dion, is that your Office still does its work despite receiving the same budget for 10 years. Demands and work must have evolved over that time, but you've still managed to provide the services we were expecting.

What is it that, over time, contributed to the smooth operation of the Office? What allowed the Office to evolve in order for it to be able to provide the same services with the same budget? It might be an example that other departments could follow. As for us, our budgets have increased, and we do not necessarily work more than we did before. But you have succeeded.

What is your secret?

[Mario Dion]

By the way, it's not me but the commissioner who was there before me. I have nothing to do with what is being discussed here this morning; I've only been in that position for four months.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lévis—Lotbinière, QC]

Let's pay tribute to her.

[Mario Dion]

In the beginning, the Office was much less known, so it received fewer requests for advice, obviously. I have seen graphics that show how requests evolved. There is a direct link between the number of requests and the costs. This played an important role.

It took years to get a full staff. Ms. Tremblay has been in her position for a few years, but she hasn't been there from the start. Today, there are 49 positions allowed, but I'm sure there were fewer five years ago. There has been an evolution.

The last time I appeared before you, I think I mentioned that, in my opinion, Ms. Dawson was a frugal person. She didn't hire people unless she knew there would be work to give them. That's more or less what happened.

Ms. Tremblay, would you like to add something?

[Sandy Tremblay, Director, Corporate Management, Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner]

In the past, there was a surplus every year. We didn't use all the funding we received. However, as Mr. Dion mentioned, last year, our surplus totalled just under 2%. We've used almost all of the funding that was allocated to us.

The maturity of the Office must also be highlighted. As was mentioned, people keep their positions for a long time, which means that the Office now boasts a very specialized and experienced staff. This allows us to answer requests more quickly without having to do too much research. There are more previous cases on which we can rely. As such, it's not necessary to do as much research and analysis as we used to.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lévis—Lotbinière, QC]

In short, people remain in their positions for a long time within the Office, they have a lot of experience, and they are dedicated to their work, and this counts for a lot.

Mr. Dion, you've also talked about the client approach. Among other things, you intend to make video vignettes. You want to find a way for us to be better informed. It's good and it's all to your credit. You said that it was voluntary, but we need to know what you're going to propose to us.

How will you propose it to us?

[Mario Dion]

We'll try to make it as interesting as possible. We'll try to meet with people who can influence MPs. In fact, I have already offered to give presentations to the different caucuses. There will also be word of mouth. You know better than me that MPs are a tight-knit group. If it's interesting and useful, they'll spread the word. It'll be word of mouth, and that method costs nothing.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lévis—Lotbinière, QC]

It is really crucial that we always be informed of changes. As far as I'm concerned, I've been an MP for a long time and I know the basic rules relatively well, but changes occur periodically. As for new MPs, they must pay particular attention to these rules when they arrive on the Hill. At the beginning of each Parliament, there are always new MPs. They are caught in a kind of whirlwind during the first year where everything happens at the same time. It might be good to remind them of those rules in the second or third year of their term.

Will you pay particular attention to new MPs?

[Mario Dion]

The period following the elections will obviously be very intense for the Office. It will also be the right time to catch new MPs before they’re too busy to talk to us.

Earlier, your colleague asked for our Twitter address. I believe that it is an easy and affordable means of communications. Every 15 or 30 days, we repeat the same advice using this platform. Whoever follows us on Twitter will already be partially informed. Sometimes, we attach documents. When we are at the airport or waiting for someone in a given place, it doesn’t take long to consult our Twitter feed to learn a bit more. Once again, it costs absolutely nothing.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Zimmer]

Thank you, Mr. Gourde.

Next up is Mr. Erskine-Smith, for five minutes.

[Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Liberal, Beaches—East York, ON]

Thanks very much.

I appreciate all the work you do, but I just want to dive into the numbers a little bit.

Can you give the committee an example of the advice and direction that might be given to a member of Parliament?

[Mario Dion]

We'll focus on members of Parliament. When you first get elected and we get notice of your election, you'll get a letter within a few days. Each MP, whether elected or re-elected, will get a letter. That's one example. It says that they have x number of days to look at the form, to please review it, and get back to us in 60 days. That's the first contact.

[Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Liberal, Beaches—East York, ON]

You had 2,898 advice directions in the previous year. Give us an example of those pieces of advice.

[Mario Dion]

It's all kinds of things. I have the data with me but I don't know it by heart. We have a complete report—