Evidence of meeting #17 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 screen.
A video is available from Parliament.
Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister of Canada, Office of the Prime Minister of Canada
Yes. He made a list of companies he knew of in annex A. That list is quite extensive, because he feels that his obligations are important.
Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister of Canada, Office of the Prime Minister of Canada
No, I don't know the trustee.
Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister of Canada, Office of the Prime Minister of Canada
No, he's not the only one. As far as I know, the Commissioner and the Prime Minister made the choice together.
Bloc
Luc Thériault Bloc Montcalm, QC
Okay.
The federal government's Registry of Lobbyists indicates that, from July 10 to date, 2,600 lobbyists have been registered to lobby, for the Prime Minister's Office alone.
In addition, 950 communications were registered between lobbyists and those in charge of the Prime Minister's Office, and 75 communications were registered between lobbyists and Mr. Carney.
Following all these communications with lobbyists, the Prime Minister had discussions with staff in the Prime Minister's Office.
After their discussions with lobbyists, how are staff members in the Prime Minister's Office monitored? Are their communications monitored?
Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister of Canada, Office of the Prime Minister of Canada
As I said earlier, a very thorough process was put in place for managing meetings with the Prime Minister. If a company listed in annex A requests a meeting, it won't happen.
In addition, during meetings, we ensure that no potential matters between a company listed in annex A and the Government of Canada are discussed in the presence of the Prime Minister.
Bloc
Luc Thériault Bloc Montcalm, QC
There is no meeting, but you didn't see fit to set up the screen and prohibit Mr. Carney from communicating with these people. They can call him on his cellphone—
Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister of Canada, Office of the Prime Minister of Canada
Mr. Carney knows his ethical obligations—
Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister of Canada, Office of the Prime Minister of Canada
Bloc
Luc Thériault Bloc Montcalm, QC
You play your role very well, but that's not a conflict of interest screen administrator's answer. I'm sorry, but that's my opinion.
Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister of Canada, Office of the Prime Minister of Canada
I respect your opinion, but I don't share it at all.
Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister of Canada, Office of the Prime Minister of Canada
It's because the rules and processes are in place. There are no meetings and there are no discussions. So the screen is in place in that respect.
Bloc
Luc Thériault Bloc Montcalm, QC
You're telling me that he knows his obligations. However, your logic should have applied in the same way when you said that there had to be a blind trust. You could have said that there was no need for a blind trust. Since he knows his obligations, he would never end up in a conflict of interest. The logic you're using here should apply in the same way.
I'm sorry, but even if meetings are prohibited, the Prime Minister can use his cellphone. It must be said that he comes from a network that suits everyone, in the situation we're in. At least tell me you're keeping an eye on him for that, that you told him to be careful about that. What you're telling me is that it's not necessary, because he knows what needs to be done.
Do you really think that's responsible behaviour for a conflict of interest screen administrator?
Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister of Canada, Office of the Prime Minister of Canada
The process is very thorough, Mr. Thériault.
Conservative
Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister of Canada, Office of the Prime Minister of Canada
As I explained to you, there are no meetings, or when there is a meeting—
Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister of Canada, Office of the Prime Minister of Canada
—these things are not being discussed. At the Prime Minister's Office, it's administered by his executive office.
Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister of Canada, Office of the Prime Minister of Canada
People have received training on this to ensure that everyone complies with each of the obligations.
