Similar to the cabinet directive on law-making that the Treasury Board has put out, it would dictate to departments the sorts of consultation that need to take place before a document could be incorporated by reference, the sorts of documents that can be incorporated by reference, the types of reviews that need to take place, things like that to make sure that departments are really carrying out the spirit of the authorities that are given to them. We think these guidelines should be developed in consultation with industry and with Canadians, so that we're all well aware of what departments should be doing.
As an example, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency just closed consultations on how they plan to use their authorities of incorporation by reference, which they were given in a broad way when the Safe Food for Canadians Act passed. Our question is why just the food inspection agency is coming up with guidelines; why are there not guidelines for all departments?