Thank you, Minister.
Good morning, Mr. Chair and members of the committee.
Before answering your questions, like my minister, Minister Lametti, said, it is my goal this morning to be candid and transparent with you and to respond to your questions with as much relevant information as I can.
On logistics, please ask me your questions in the official language of your choice, and I will do my best to answer in the same language. However, you may notice that I am more comfortable in my first language, so if I feel that I will be more precise, I will speak in French.
I would like to begin by describing my dual role as the Deputy Minister of Justice and Deputy Attorney General of Canada. I have been in this position since June 2017. In both of these roles, I support the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada in fulfilling his or her responsibilities. My duties include giving legal advice and coordinating the legal advice given by the Department of Justice, supporting the development of legislation and policy that fall within the Justice portfolio, as well as acting as the formal representative of the Crown in all civil litigation involving the Government of Canada. These duties involve a number of principles that Minister Lametti set out for you today and that have been the subject of public commentary.
On any given day, in my role as deputy minister and deputy attorney general, I am involved in communications that are solicitor-client privileged where I also have the duty of confidentiality and where it may be a matter considered to be protected by cabinet confidence. Sometimes one, sometimes two, sometimes all three principles will apply to these communications. Sometimes none of the principles will apply. Whether the principles apply in a given situation is highly fact dependent.
I would like now to talk about the role of the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, which is separate and distinct from the Department of Justice.
The Attorney General is supported by the DPP, the director of public prosecutions. Please note that the DPP is also a deputy attorney general of Canada. The DPP is responsible for initiating and conducting federal criminal prosecutions on behalf of the Crown. The DPP's role is separate and distinct from mine.
While the Director of Public Prosecutions, the DPP, is responsible for conducting federal criminal prosecutions, I can support and provide legal advice to the Attorney General of Canada in exercising his powers under the Director of Public Prosecutions Act. One recent example is the support the department gave to the Attorney General in regard to the directive related to prosecutions of HIV non-disclosure cases.
I have no involvement or role in any prosecution. And, in fact, I am not privy to any evidence with regard to prosecutions. That is entirely the DPP's role. In my role as both a public servant and a lawyer, with the support of my department, I strive to provide government decision-makers with all of the professional and non-partisan advice they need to carry out their duties.
Keeping in mind my role as deputy minister and deputy attorney general and all the duties and obligations that I just described, I would ask for the committee's understanding with respect to the information that I will be able to share.
Having said that, I am prepared to respond to your questions. I will give you the best answer I can in light of my obligations.
Thank you.