Evidence of meeting #57 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 businesses.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Mary Ng Liberal Markham—Thornhill, ON
That will happen in March. It will be for all of my staff and for me. It will review, again, the obligations we have as public office holders and our obligations in terms of conflict of interest and ethics.
Liberal
Greg Fergus Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
Very briefly, Minister—because I don't have a lot of time left—with regard to the use of these services, I recall how it was pandemonium at the front end of the pandemic. There were a lot of things coming at us. In what ways do you feel this contract helped you connect with Canadians and provide information in a clear manner to them so that they could access those services during the pandemic?
Liberal
Mary Ng Liberal Markham—Thornhill, ON
The frequency of requests grew exponentially at the time. A number of programs had different design elements to them that needed explaining to a range of different businesses. The ability to speak clearly and simply to members of the media, which is an important channel for speaking to Canadians and businesses, was helped by that training. It helped to meet Canadians where they are at—which is on social media—and put information out that way, and to have the tools, whether they were video tools or clear Qs and As we could send to business associations or chambers, etc.
The assistance provided to my office and the work done to help us clearly articulate to millions of Canadians and small businesses across the country how to access supports helped us do that work, in addition to the very good and strong work the civil service did.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative John Brassard
Thank you, Minister.
Thank you, Mr. Fergus.
Mr. Villemure, you have the floor for two and a half minutes.
Bloc
René Villemure Bloc Trois-Rivières, QC
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Madam Minister, again, the value and nature of the contract are not in question. That isn't what we're talking about this morning.
Just out of curiosity, did Ms. Alvaro help you prepare your presentation for this morning?
Bloc
René Villemure Bloc Trois-Rivières, QC
All right.
Earlier, there was some discussion of your commitment to the Ethics Commissioner to have your team undergo training.
In your experience, what kind of additional training should public office holders receive? When it comes to contracts, things move quickly. What would you say is missing?
Liberal
Mary Ng Liberal Markham—Thornhill, ON
I think it's the frequency of it. In each of our offices and departments, people change. They may work in a job, and if they're new to the assignment or change offices even in the same assignment, it's important to have more regularity to it. This is something we all take seriously. We certainly do. In the course of day-to-day work, we should be refreshed at times.
I think the frequency of training would help.
Bloc
René Villemure Bloc Trois-Rivières, QC
Do you believe the commissioner's proposed conflict of interest screen should be applied in the case of Pomp & Circumstance or in all cases?
Liberal
Mary Ng Liberal Markham—Thornhill, ON
I believe it is applied. I believe we fulfill the obligations. I think there is opportunity to seek the advice of the commissioner—I do that anyway, and I think offices do—and work on a method such that if you're unsure, you just take that pause and make that call.
I would say that in the case of 2020, with the urgency that was upon us with the pandemic crisis, we were also in that context.
Bloc
René Villemure Bloc Trois-Rivières, QC
Thank you very much.
In a few seconds, could you tell me if you feel your failure to recuse yourself was an honest mistake?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative John Brassard
Merci, Monsieur Villemure.
Mr. Green, we'll go to you for two and half minutes.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Thank you.
Ms. Ng, how long has your chief of staff been working with you?
Liberal
Mary Ng Liberal Markham—Thornhill, ON
It's been from the very beginning of my appointment, so it's since 2018.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Then there was no change of staff there.
You keep referencing that in your need for training, there needs to be updated training because there's a change of staff, but you've just suggested that there's been no change of staffing in your office.
Liberal
Mary Ng Liberal Markham—Thornhill, ON
There was not a change in my chief of staff, but there was a change of other staff.
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Right. At the level of the.... The chief of staff signed off on the contract, correct?
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Okay.
In your interview with the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, you stated that your chief of staff, who had the “delegated authority for negotiating and establishing contracts”, “was aware” of your friendship with Amanda Alvaro.
To your knowledge, was your staff familiar with the Conflict of Interest Act and its obligations?
Liberal
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Did your chief of staff or any other member of your staff approach you about their concerns regarding the contract in relationship to the act?