Procedure and House Affairs Committee on May 31st, 2012

[Mary Dawson]

My concern is the reputation of politicians. I mean, this whole thing is about assuring the public that these politicians are good guys, basically, and when you see some of the stuff that goes on, sometimes it oversteps, I think. But again, I am not sure it's me; it may be—

[Nathan Cullen, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

But you want that conversation.

[Mary Dawson]

There needs to be a conversation on that.

[Nathan Cullen, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

We share common purposes.

[Mary Dawson]

Yes.

[Nathan Cullen, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Thank you, Chair.

[Nycole Turmel, NDP, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

How much time is left, Mr. Chair?

[The Vice-Chair, NDP, Joe Comartin]

Fifteen seconds left.

[Nycole Turmel, NDP, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Have you looked at distinguishing between activities on or related to the Hill, to which all members are invited, regardless of political stripe, and events—receptions or meals, for instance—to which a single person is invited? Have you thought about handling those scenarios in two different ways? It might be appropriate to assume that, if everyone is invited to attend, the event does not warrant disclosure.

[Mary Dawson]

Yes, I think it would be possible to make that distinction. The likelihood of a problem goes up when a single member or only a few people are invited to a major event.

[The Vice-Chair, NDP, Joe Comartin]

Mr. Garneau, you have the floor.

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Westmount—Ville-Marie, QC]

Thank you.

I have a question on the issue of gifts. There are gifts that are material, and we can try to cost them and usually get fairly close to that. There are gifts that are immaterial, such as somebody staying at a fishing lodge, let's say. Even if they bring their food and their sleeping bag, they are staying in the place.

Do you have a process by which you interpret or make a decision about, for example, a night of lodging and how much that is actually worth, or do you discount that completely?

[Mary Dawson]

No, we would look at that. Each case is different one from the other. You have to just kind of take a look at the situation and—

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Westmount—Ville-Marie, QC]

But you do try to quantify it in terms of.... Because you do have this $500 threshold.

[Mary Dawson]

Certainly, yes.

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Westmount—Ville-Marie, QC]

Okay. Very good.

Thank you.

[The Vice-Chair, NDP, Joe Comartin]

I'm going to ask a question. This is really about something that came from the brief we received from our analysts.

With regard to the penalties—that recommendation of financial penalties—there was some suggestion that it in fact may require an amendment to the Parliament of Canada Act for us to be able to impose penalties. The House does not have the ability to impose penalties on the individual members. In certain cases we can hold back money from their pay, but there is no provision anywhere for us to be able to impose penalties.

My basic question.... From looking at you, Ms. Dawson, I'm assuming you haven't caught this point, but I'll ask the question anyway. Have you caught the point and have you sought a legal opinion?

[Mary Dawson]

No, I haven't looked into that issue.

[The Vice-Chair, NDP, Joe Comartin]

It's something further we will have to take up with you as we're looking at this.

[Mary Dawson]

Yes.

[The Vice-Chair, NDP, Joe Comartin]

Are there any other questions? No? All right.

Thank you, Ms. Dawson. The committee is quite clear on the need for some changes, and we'll be back in touch.

[Mary Dawson]

Thank you very much.

[The Vice-Chair, NDP, Joe Comartin]

That is it, unless there are any other issues. No?

The meeting is adjourned.