Evidence of meeting #112 for Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was report.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Commissioner, Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
I'll let Ms. Rushworth answer that question.
Director, Communications, Outreach and Planning, Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
We haven't published our strategic plan; that was a decision we made with the previous commissioner. However, our team is in the process of creating a new strategic plan, because we need to support Mr. von Finckenstein's objectives. My team will be working on this project over the course of the fiscal year.
Bloc
René Villemure Bloc Trois-Rivières, QC
The strategic plan may also require resources. That's why I asked the question about resources.
Commissioner, Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
If we want to implement new ideas, this will undoubtedly require further resources. Next year, when I come back to the committee, I may ask for an increase in our budget.
Bloc
René Villemure Bloc Trois-Rivières, QC
Have you given any thought to the direction of the next strategic plan? Can you tell us what work has been done?
Commissioner, Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
As I mentioned, we're going to have an online program for new members of the House of Commons.
Ms. Rushworth, would you like to explain this further?
Director, Communications, Outreach and Planning, Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
Yes, of course.
We have prepared the training that all new MPs must take after each election. It will be offered on the House of Commons Source system in the coming months.
We've also talked about doing the same thing, or almost the same thing, with the act. When we did our survey of public office holders, we learned that online training was one of their requests. We're continuing to think about how to improve training in general, particularly on more specific things, such as the post-employment of MPs.
My team is always available on request to provide training or make special presentations to any office that requires it.
Bloc
René Villemure Bloc Trois-Rivières, QC
Do you believe that, for a subject such as ethics and conflicts of interest, online training is sufficient? It seems to me that this is a vast subject.
Director, Communications, Outreach and Planning, Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
As far as the training is concerned, the idea is to present the concept in a general way and emphasize that each situation is unique, as Mr. von Finckenstein said. During training, we always explain that our office advisers are available to discuss a given situation in greater detail. However, the idea is to make a general presentation, but also to give people a clear understanding of the steps required to comply with the act or the code.
Director, Communications, Outreach and Planning, Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
Yes. Over the past year, we have offered nearly thirty sessions to around 500 people.
Bloc
René Villemure Bloc Trois-Rivières, QC
Commissioner, you've only been permanent for a short time, but you've nonetheless been observing things for quite a while. Regardless of complaints, do you think the ethics situation is improving or deteriorating? I ask because, in society, we're seeing a certain deterioration in public morals, if you like. From your point of view, what's the situation?
Commissioner, Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
We did not investigate public communications. Like you, I read the magazines and the press. It's obvious that there's a lack of trust when it comes to ethics. That's why it's necessary for us to reinforce the importance of ethics and educate those elected or appointed to behave in accordance with the act and the code.
I think it's really the reality that's going to influence public opinion. It doesn't help when there are always situations where people are accused of conflict of interest.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative John Brassard
Thank you, Mr. Villemure.
Thank you, Commissioner.
Now, for six minutes, we're going to Mr. Green.
Mr. Green, go ahead.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Thank you very much.
Welcome back to the committee.
At the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, typically you post your annual reports online. Certainly, that was the case for the 2018-21 strategic plan, which is currently available online. Your current plan, for 2021-24, is not published online. Why is that?
Commissioner, Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
It doesn't exist yet. I was appointed in September on a temporary basis and just the last month on a permanent basis. Obviously, one thing to do is have a new strategic plan, but for the time being we are living with the one that went to 2021. This one would be up to 2024. Basically, we will, in the coming months, try to come up with a new strategic plan setting out our goals.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
You said “in the coming months”. When do you think we can expect that, specifically?
Commissioner, Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
Melanie, this is in your hands.
Director, Communications, Outreach and Planning, Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
We were awaiting the arrival of someone into the position on a permanent basis before we moved forward with that planning. Our intention is to have some conversations with the commissioner to help him understand the projects that have been undertaken in the last few years and what will be continuing forward, and to make sure that what continues forward reflects that.
I would anticipate—
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
I have to intervene for a moment—my apologies—to take my time back.
He was the interim commissioner. He's certainly been around. Your intention is to commence this discussion. Has it begun, or am I to understand it hasn't begun yet?
Director, Communications, Outreach and Planning, Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
The conversations have certainly started with the commissioner, but I anticipate that my team will be in a position to have that plan done this calendar year.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Commissioner, I'll come back to you. Assuming that there was a process for your permanent appointment, in your discussions with government before you were finally appointed to this permanent position, what did you identify during the interview process as your main priorities knowing what you know, be that from your interim work or your previous work?
Commissioner, Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
Exactly as I said in my opening statement, I think the office is twofold. It deals with conflicts of interest, and the other side is to facilitate the entry of the best talent from the public service to the private service and vice versa. We really have to concentrate on that, because if you do that well, then you have very few conflicts of interest.
Part of this is about the priority of education, which Melanie talked about. We have done this online for MPs. It's probable that I will need to do it for the people who are subject to the act, especially the people who are nominated. It's also about making sure people understand that this is not something we have to just do well, as if it's like checking off that, yes, you signed your statement and that's it. No. It has to be something that's on your mind in your daily activity. This requires a lot of publication and a lot of speaking publicly and using the modern media to get that message out.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
That will suffice.
To get into your work, presumably you would have reviewed the previous strategic plans and would have likely done some financial forecasting to begin to consider a budget. Obviously, we're in budget time. You're here on the main estimates.
Did any of the elements of the previous strategic plans require additional finances going to human resources?