Evidence of meeting #61 for Finance in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was transfer.
A recording is available from Parliament.
7:20 p.m.
Chief, Social policy, Income Security, Department of Finance
I'm saying that the Minister of Finance was asked that question. He answered. I have nothing else to add.
7:20 p.m.
Conservative
Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK
Can you remind our colleague across the floor of the role of the department officials and the role of the minister? He is asking political questions, and it's not the role of the department officials to answer political questions. He seems to be badgering the witness more than getting on with the topic of the budget within part 4.
7:20 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
Mr. Brison is asking about potential savings from OAS changes. I don't see that as a political question. He is asking whether there's background information prepared by any of the departments on that.
7:25 p.m.
Liberal
Scott Brison Liberal Kings—Hants, NS
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
If I were to fill out an ATIP request, could it capture information on how raising the age of OAS from 65 to 67 would change the projected costs for the government?
7:25 p.m.
Chief, Social policy, Income Security, Department of Finance
Can you repeat that question?
7:25 p.m.
Liberal
Scott Brison Liberal Kings—Hants, NS
If I were to do an ATIP request, and the ATIP request were to ask for that information, would you provide it?
7:25 p.m.
Chief, Social policy, Income Security, Department of Finance
It could potentially be excluded as a cabinet confidence under section 69.
7:25 p.m.
Liberal
Scott Brison Liberal Kings—Hants, NS
No. We've already covered that. Under the law of the land, section 69 of the Access to Information—
7:25 p.m.
Chief, Social policy, Income Security, Department of Finance
That's your interpretation of the act. I take a different interpretation, although I'm not—
7:25 p.m.
Chief, Social policy, Income Security, Department of Finance
I think information provided to cabinet in the preparation of the budget could be technically included as a cabinet confidence.
As I said, this is not my area of expertise.
7:25 p.m.
Liberal
Scott Brison Liberal Kings—Hants, NS
Let's work together on this. Section 69 of the Access to Information Act does not apply to cabinet confidences “if the decisions to which the discussion papers relate have been made public”. So it is not a cabinet confidence once a decision—
7:25 p.m.
Chief, Social policy, Income Security, Department of Finance
I cannot make that determination. I can comment on the information that was included in the budget plan and the legislative amendments that are proposed, but I have no comments on—
7:25 p.m.
Liberal
Scott Brison Liberal Kings—Hants, NS
Mr. La Salle, you said that you're giving the public plenty of time to adjust. However, 38% of Canadians are making less than $20,000 a year, and 40% of the people getting OAS are making less than $20,000.
Are you saying to people who are 53 to just start saving a little more money to prepare for the future? What about those who are in physically demanding labour, such as fish plant workers, welders, or pipefitters? Should they just save more money?
7:25 p.m.
Director General, Seniors and Pensions Policy Secretariat, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
What I will say is that 11 years of notification compares very well with most countries that have implemented similar changes. Many countries in the OECD have implemented this sort of change.
7:25 p.m.
Liberal
Scott Brison Liberal Kings—Hants, NS
Are you familiar with the OECD report and the Parliamentary Budget Officer's report that says there's not a sustainability issue?
7:25 p.m.
Conservative
7:25 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
You'll have to come back in another round.
We will go to Ms. McLeod.
7:25 p.m.
Conservative
Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I noted my colleague was continuing to ask you about what is releasable and what's not. You indicated that you're not an expert. People who have been around government know that there are people who assess questions such as he has asked. Could you talk about ATIP and your department? I know you're not the one who is responsible for looking at the legislation and making decisions. Would that be an accurate...?
7:25 p.m.
Chief, Social policy, Income Security, Department of Finance
No, that's not my responsibility.
7:25 p.m.
Conservative
Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
So if a request comes in, it goes through the proper process. Every department has regulations and rules and procedures for—
7:25 p.m.
Chief, Social policy, Income Security, Department of Finance
We have experts at the Department of Finance who work in close collaboration with counsel at the Privy Council Office to determine what is and what is not a cabinet confidence.