Information & Ethics Committee on Feb. 27th, 2018

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

I would certainly suggest that you meet with some of the people—for example, Peter Di Gangi of the Algonquin Nation Secretariat—who have spoken on this issue. When you're dealing with this kind of information and these kinds of documents, it takes years, decades, to put the picture together. I did land claims research in northern Quebec, and the type of documents you had to find and how you had to piece it together was an extraordinary situation. I would certainly recommend that you meet with some of the people doing this research so that you can see some of the parameters.

For my final question, I'll go back to the question my colleague Mr. Kent raised about how much information is now deliberately kept off the written record through personal messages, the PMs, so that the information isn't traceable.

You said you're not in a position to legislate, which is definitely clear, but I would say you're in a position to interpret—

[Caroline Maynard]

Yes.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

—so I would also advise that you look at that and maybe come back with recommendations to our committee, because there's a lot of government traffic that.... Civil servants tell me that they are told never to put anything in writing and to send personal messages using PINs so that there is no record. Your interpretation of this situation would be very helpful.

[Caroline Maynard]

I will definitely welcome an invitation and come back.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

We will invite you back very soon.

[Caroline Maynard]

If I am the commissioner.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Zimmer]

Thank you, Mr. Angus. Thank you, Ms. Maynard.

We have a motion from Mr. Erskine-Smith.

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

You all have it before you. I move:

That the Committee report the following to the House:

Your Committee has considered the Certificate of Nomination of Caroline Maynard, nominee for the position of Information Commissioner, referred on Wednesday, February 14, 2018, pursuant to Standing Order 111.1(1).

Your Committee has considered the proposed appointment of Caroline Maynard as Information Commissioner and reports its recommendation that she be confirmed by the House of Commons as Information Commissioner.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Zimmer]

Thank you, Mr. Erskine-Smith.

The motion is in order. Is there any further discussion on the motion?

(Motion agreed to)

Congratulations.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Zimmer]

We will suspend for about five minutes. We're going to go in camera. We have some committee business to deal with.

Thanks again, Ms. Maynard.

[Proceedings continue in camera]