Government Operations committee  We'll look at the information and get back to you as quickly as we can. I'm sorry, I can't provide a more specific time.

Government Operations committee  Perhaps returning to the earlier question of Member Duncan as well, as you know, in our government system there are a number of independent agencies that are related to the executive and funded by the executive, but they fundamentally operate without the kind of political direction and control that's normal in a ministerial line accountability.

Government Operations committee  There's a separate system within government for the limited group of departments and agencies that are in regular.... Because the national security adviser to the Prime Minister and foreign and defence policy are housed within the Privy Council Office, they participate in a subset of government departments that deal with e-mails, and there will be a continuation of that system.

Government Operations committee  We will endeavour to provide the information without delay. I can't be more specific than that.

Government Operations committee  I'll just add that we have opportunities for relatively direct feedback from our main customers and clients on a weekly basis. More seriously, there's a set of objectives that are agreed on as we go forward, in terms of our advice. We're not in the business of programming. We don't measure our service to Canadians, and in that way it is a service that is internal to the government and the Prime Minister.

Government Operations committee  Yes.

Government Operations committee  Thank you for your questions. From its inception, the Secretariat of the Public Appointments Commission has made recommendations to improve the appointment system. The government implemented a few changes, as Ms. Doucet said in her previous answer. There is a group that is responsible for supporting the government in this process.

Government Operations committee  Thank you. First I want to specify that at PCO, there are practically no other expenses aside from salaries. We do not administer programs. So it will not be complicated to give you a global overview. We are talking, rather, about staff cuts. We are not responsible for employment insurance programs and other programs offered directly to Canadians.

Government Operations committee  The $1.1 million is--

Government Operations committee  Yes, I would be happy to. Thank you for the question. As I said, the federal identity program has established a look and feel for the Government of Canada, and as advertising has diversified, as website presence and other government communication activities have diversified....

Government Operations committee  --that this voice is attached. Some fairly simple visual identifiers and common looks can be useful in conveying that. The Government of Canada is communicating with Canadians about dozens and dozens of different programs that really aren't related in any intrinsic way, other than the fact that they are brought to you by the Government of Canada.

Government Operations committee  I'll take that question as well, Mr. Chair. There is a continual examination of the ways in which Canadians can be informed of the benefits and services that are available to them, now through the budget, and through exercises like the national shipbuilding strategy. As that unfolds, I think it reflects the modern world of communications.

Government Operations committee  We have tried to modernize our means of communication by maximizing the use of resources. I'll give you a couple of examples of the kinds of things we've undertaken so far. I know that the House of Commons provides members with a daily press clipping service; I think it's called Quorum.

Government Operations committee  That's a good question. It's true that the first stage of Canada's Economic Action Plan, so the response to the economic crisis, is wrapping up. But the last budget, the one for 2011, continues to allow certain measures. And the government has announced a series of measures aimed at economic recovery.

Government Operations committee  The expenditures are not linked to the election campaign. They are linked only to the Canadian government's advertising plan. It is a matter of benefits for Canadians. It is a study that we just launched. There's no relationship whatsoever to the election campaign. This relates to the Government of Canada advertising that continues today and will continue for the remainder of the fiscal.