Evidence of meeting #11 for Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was cooper.
A video is available from Parliament.
Journalist, The Bureau, As an Individual
Mr. Chairman, I've presented my answer on these matters.
Liberal
Liberal
Abdelhaq Sari Liberal Bourassa, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I said it earlier and I'll say it again: I commend the work of investigative journalists. I think their contribution to democracy is very important. I thank Mr. Cooper for the work he has done over the past few years.
That said, the language used is very important to me. You spoke about the need to have someone more independent than the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner and the Clerk of the Privy Council.
However, I also understood something that went a little further than the issue of independence.
Did I understand correctly that, for you, it's also a matter of impartiality?
Were you implying that the Commissioner and the clerk were not impartial?
Journalist, The Bureau, As an Individual
My statement was that, in my own opinion and in agreement with the witness, Mr. Conacher of Democracy Watch, I don't believe the system of impartiality, while professional and informed by an existing framework, is strong enough.
I said it resembles what Commissioner Austin Cullen said in the British Columbia hearings into integrity and anti-money laundering. The record in British Columbia showed that the government wasn't distant enough from decisions around financial integrity, and an independent officer of the legislature was needed.
Liberal
Abdelhaq Sari Liberal Bourassa, QC
Okay, Mr. Chair.
In your opinion, Mr. Cooper, are these two people, the Commissioner and the clerk, impartial or not?
Journalist, The Bureau, As an Individual
They are humans in an imperfect system. The pattern of the commission in British Columbia applies to the same principles in Ottawa with regard to the ethical framework and the need for fully independent officers who are not serving at the pleasure of a political body or minister.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative John Brassard
Thank you, Mr. Cooper.
Thank you, Mr. Sari.
Mr. Cooper, I want to thank you for your appearance before the committee today. I appreciate your responses to the questions.
I have no other business for the committee, so the meeting is adjourned.
