Evidence of meeting #4 for Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was lobbying.
A video is available from Parliament.
Commissioner of Lobbying, Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying
Yes, absolutely.
Commissioner of Lobbying, Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying
Thank you.
Liberal
Élisabeth Brière Liberal Sherbrooke, QC
In the annual report, you also state, “The office supports transparency by helping the public, journalists, researchers and advocacy groups to understand the information they find in the registry, clarifying reporting requirements and identifying the best way to obtain the information they are seeking in the registry”.
Could you tell us more about how you help users of the registry of lobbyists to understand the information they find there and to improve their searches?
Commissioner of Lobbying, Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying
Last year, if I remember correctly, the annual report listed 8,200 requests from the media, university professors, students, lobbyists and public office holders. These requests related to the operation of the registry and access to tools on our website. To make the site easier to navigate, we are currently working to improve it. We also have three advisors who respond to telephone calls and emails to help people wherever possible to find the information they need in the registry.
The registry contains information on lobbyists, meetings held and topics discussed. We produce reports based on this information. That's how we help lobbyists. We provide many presentations and outreach activities. There have been 50 this year so far, and close to 70 last year. We hardly turn down any requests—which may end up affecting us.
Liberal
Élisabeth Brière Liberal Sherbrooke, QC
You said earlier, in your presentation, that the website was going to be improved.
Commissioner of Lobbying, Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying
No information will be lost. We've gone from about 3,500 pages to fewer than 300. The information was all over the place, so we tried to make it more succinct, avoid repetition and reduce the number of pages. We also tried to take a user-centred approach. This should be ready by the beginning of April. I'm looking forward to that.
Liberal
Han Dong Liberal Don Valley North, ON
Oh, okay.
Thank you very much for presenting. I'm a new member, too, so I really appreciate this opportunity to learn a bit more about your work.
You mentioned that the former designated public office holders are subject to a five-year prohibition after they leave their office. There are some exemptions. I want to know a bit more about the exemptions. Also, does this rule apply to members of Parliament and also members of the Senate, as well?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rachael Thomas
Sorry, if I may interrupt just for a moment here, Mr. Dong, we will come back to you—
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rachael Thomas
—to do your question in just a moment.
Right now, I'm going to turn the floor over to Ms. Gaudreau.
Bloc
Marie-Hélène Gaudreau Bloc Laurentides—Labelle, QC
Mr. Dong, I'm new, and I have a lot of time ahead of me, so I would like to let you finish your question.
Liberal
Han Dong Liberal Don Valley North, ON
Those were my questions I asked, so thank you very much, my great colleague across the table.
But yes, just to help me to understand these two general questions.
Commissioner of Lobbying, Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying
When lobbyists lobby public office holders you should think of the latter as really meaning any public servant, including you, your staff, senators and their staff. When they do, they need to register. But there's a subset of that group, designated public office holders, which includes you, members of Parliament, senators, and obviously ministers—they're members of Parliament—and their staff. When they leave office, they're subject to a five-year prohibition on lobbying.
The exemptions under the act are extremely limited. They're really for people who have been there for a short period—students, individuals who really had only administrative duties. The exemptions are not for those who had any decision-making power. Students in ministers' offices are designated public office holders, so they will often be the ones asking for an exemption when they leave office.
Commissioner of Lobbying, Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying
Good afternoon, Ms. Gaudreau.
Bloc
Marie-Hélène Gaudreau Bloc Laurentides—Labelle, QC
I'm happy to see you. I'm new, and I have many questions, so I'm going to concentrate on the main ones.
You're with us today to describe your role, but I would like to know what your role will be in the coming weeks and in this session. Are we going to see each other just once, or are there going to be interventions in our committee work?
Commissioner of Lobbying, Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying
The first thing I'll say is that I am always at your disposal. I am available at any time to meet with you in committee. I sent you all a letter with information. I'm prepared to meet with you or your staff, if you're not available, because I know you're busy.
In terms of our interactions, usually, once our budget documents are tabled, I'm invited in May to discuss them. Otherwise, I'm always available to meet with you.