Procedure and House Affairs Committee on Feb. 19th, 2019

[Karina Gould, Liberal, Burlington, ON]

No? Why not?

[John Nater, Conservative, Perth—Wellington, ON]

Oh, it was just my assumption that you weren't. Since you are here defending an independent debates commissioner, it was my assumption that somehow you've removed yourself from the partisan process. I suppose that's not the case, then.

[Karina Gould, Liberal, Burlington, ON]

I am here because I'm the Minister of Democratic Institutions and you invited me to come, and because the debates commission is supported through PCO. That's why I'm here, because of your invitation, but it is absolutely an independent process.

I am very much looking forward to seeking re-election and serving the good people of Burlington in 2019 and beyond. Thank you for the opportunity for me to mention my amazing constituents and how proud I am to serve them.

[John Nater, Conservative, Perth—Wellington, ON]

It is a great riding, Burlington. I have been there several times.

[David Christopherson]

The whole neighbourhood is great.

[John Nater, Conservative, Perth—Wellington, ON]

The whole greater Hamilton area—

[Karina Gould, Liberal, Burlington, ON]

That's true. The bay is a good community.

[John Nater, Conservative, Perth—Wellington, ON]

You mentioned in your opening comments that an executive director had been hired. Could you inform the committee who that is?

[Karina Gould, Liberal, Burlington, ON]

The executive director who has been hired is Michel Cormier, formerly of Radio-Canada.

[John Nater, Conservative, Perth—Wellington, ON]

What pay level will they be at? Are they at a deputy minister level, or an assistant deputy minister level?

[Matthew Shea, Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services, Privy Council Office]

I could get back to the committee on the pay level. I'm not sure. They would not be at a deputy head level. The commissioner is in that type of role. They would likely be an executive, somewhere between EX-02 and EX-04.

[John Nater, Conservative, Perth—Wellington, ON]

Yes, could you provide that to the committee?

Was it Michel Cormier? Would he be a full-time member or will it just be on a contract? How long will that person serve in that role?

[Matthew Shea]

I don't have that level of information.

This is a good opportunity to remind the committee that they are independent, so we don't get overly involved in their HR or their finance. We just make sure their bills are paid and they have HR support, but we don't really get into that level of detail, and we make it a point to not get overly involved in that level of detail.

[John Nater, Conservative, Perth—Wellington, ON]

Has PCO or your minister's office had any consultations with Mr. Johnston on potential appointees to the seven-person advisory board? Have any names been provided—either to your office, Minister, or to PCO—on potential appointees to that panel?

[Karina Gould, Liberal, Burlington, ON]

The only thing I would be aware of—just like the rest of the public—is all of the individuals who participated in the round table, but that's not something that has been provided. That's just public information.

[John Nater, Conservative, Perth—Wellington, ON]

Will those members be appointed via order in council?

[Matthew Shea]

They will be hired as per diem appointees under professional services.

[John Nater, Conservative, Perth—Wellington, ON]

Has PCO or the minister's office had any consultations with the major broadcasters or the social media companies—Facebook, Twitter—on the potential distribution of this leaders' debate?

[Karina Gould, Liberal, Burlington, ON]

Only as part of the round table discussions that happened last spring....

[John Nater, Conservative, Perth—Wellington, ON]

So there have been no efforts by any of these groups to lobby either PCO or your minister's office on the outcome of this. Would the chair, the commissioner, be subject to the overview by the Commissioner of Lobbying in terms of the reporting of lobbying having been undertaken in regard to either the commissioner or the executive director? Would lobbyists have to report any of those interactions?

[Matthew Shea]

I can confirm that for lobbying they have the same obligations for reporting that any department does. They're set up as a separate department, so they have full reporting obligations, like any other deputy head across the government.

[John Nater, Conservative, Perth—Wellington, ON]

Thank you, Chair. I believe Mrs. Kusie will take the remaining time.

[Stephanie Kusie, Calgary Midnapore, CPC]

Thank you very much, Mr. Nater.

Thank you very much, Minister, for being here today.

I know that something that has been of great importance to you has been to have participation in this process from all the other political parties. Could you please expand on what consultation process has taken place to this point with the other political parties to further this process?

[Karina Gould, Liberal, Burlington, ON]

Since the appointment of the commissioner...?

[Stephanie Kusie]

That's correct.