Mr. Speaker, last week I did rise on a question of privilege protesting a directive of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to department staff members ordering them to track all calls from MPs.
It is my contention that the directive to track calls from MPs will have a chilling effect on communication between MPs and public servants. This will cause particular hardship for members' staff members who contact public servants on a regular basis to seek help as they respond to calls from constituents.
As an example, last Friday DFO staff members in Vancouver were reminding my staff that they would have to record the fact that they had spoken to my staff member.
To resolve the matter, I would propose that the minister voluntarily withdraw the directive.