Information & Ethics committee  Yes, I do. Since 2004 I have been part of an organization called the Council on Government Ethics and Law, or COGEL, and each year I sit with my counterpart from the Senate and provide an update on Canadian lobbying.

Information & Ethics committee  In terms of whenever the report comes up for renewal, I would welcome the opportunity to come before Parliament and talk about the potential. At this point it's only been ten months with this current legislation, but I would welcome the opportunity to do so.

Information & Ethics committee  I think so. [Laughter]

Information & Ethics committee  No, I don't think I felt hampered in terms of administering the legislation because of the knowledge of the act and the code and having been with the particular organization since 2004. I felt confident with what I had put in place in terms of processes, and the reports that I was able to use to make decisions were well documented and comprehensive.

Information & Ethics committee  Yes, I do. I have looked at the legislation over time. I've been particularly involved with the legislation since 2004. I find that each amendment Parliament chose to make has strengthened the act with improved transparency and government decision-making through improved disclosure requirements, improved compliance measures, and the lobbyists' code of conduct.

Information & Ethics committee  I would defer to the four principles: lobbyists should have open access to government officials; lobbying is a legitimate activity; Canadians and public office holders should know who is lobbying them and on what issues; and the measures and so on that are put in place should not be so restrictive that they prohibit this legitimate activity from occurring.

Information & Ethics committee  Yes. In fact, since I've been involved with the organization, we've always realized the importance of education in terms of ensuring compliance. And one of the things I was quite pleased about with the Lobbying Act, when it came in, is that it actually gives the commissioner the mandate.

Information & Ethics committee  Yes.

Information & Ethics committee  Yes, I can speak to my own experience. In terms of how the process was managed, in terms of the details, I would have to defer to the Privy Council Office, who are managing the process. In terms of my own experience, I was approached and asked if I would consider having my name go forward, which I did.

Information & Ethics committee  No, it's before the nomination actually goes forward. Our legislation actually requires that before it comes to committee, the three party leaders are consulted, and that was done.

Information & Ethics committee  Yes. When they posted the job they had specific criteria in terms of whether the individual had experience managing an oversight function on decisions impacting others, had leadership skills, had the ability to represent in national and international forums, had the ability to manage investigations, and so on.

Information & Ethics committee  I'd have to defer to what PCO did informally before approaching me and afterwards.

Information & Ethics committee  No. I think the formality for the officers of Parliament, I would assume, is appearing before this committee and the Senate, in terms of a full resolution.

Information & Ethics committee  Yes.

Information & Ethics committee  I don't remember the exact question, but it was basically, “Do you feel you can speak to your boss without fear of reprisal?” And a very high percentage, I think it was almost an A-plus-plus percentage, indicated that they felt very comfortable in our organization doing that.