Information & Ethics committee  It's the same thing under the Conflict of Interest Act. We interpret the act as it is written. It was legislators who determined, for example, that sections 33 and 34 are the only two that continue to apply after a cooling-off period. Sections 33 and 34 are quite specific. It's inappropriate for us to speculate, but when a public office holder accepts the appointment, there's a violation of section 33 or 34 automatically.

Information & Ethics committee  Based on the situation that we have before us, I would say yes.

Information & Ethics committee  I don't recall the specific file, unfortunately. However, as I've mentioned, if a public office holder contacts the office, we examine the file, we review all of the information that's provided and we provide guidance and advice based on information that has been obtained either through the reporting public office holder or in the media, on government websites and so on and so forth.

Information & Ethics committee  According to the former commissioner, whose role was equivalent to the current Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, as soon as a lobbyist is involved, a gift is unacceptable. You should therefore pay for any entry fee, your meal or anything else when a registered lobbyist is lobbying MPs from the House of Commons.

Information & Ethics committee  Exactly; that's the test you're expected to undergo: can you reasonably think that the meal was paid for with a view to influencing you? In circumstances when MPs have had, or expect to have, dealings with an organization or an individual, they should not accept that kind of gift.

Information & Ethics committee  Yes.

Information & Ethics committee  The Conflict of Interest Act, although it does not give a specific definition, describes what a conflict of interest is. A conflict of interest is a situation in which a designated public office holder takes part in an activity and exercises official power or an official duty that gives that office holder the possibility of a personal interest, whether their own, a member of their family, a relative…

Information & Ethics committee  The answer is no. The code governing conflicts of interest for MPs specifies clearly that sponsored travel is acceptable. There is accordingly no mandatory test with respect to the acceptance of sponsored travel. Members may accept any sponsored travel. Nevertheless, the lobbyists should check with the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying because we wouldn't want to put the member in an awkward position.

Information & Ethics committee  As I said earlier, the answer is no. We can't launch an investigation; only the commissioner can. However, as we explained previously, as soon we receive information, we study the issue in order to be ready to make a recommendation once a commissioner has been appointed.

Information & Ethics committee  That's fine.

Information & Ethics committee  There are in fact a number of cases that still need to be dealt with. There are two major concerns among designated public office holders. The first is that we can't grant a reduction or exemption from requirements after they have left office. In certain instances, the situation could be harmful to an office holder's career.

Information & Ethics committee  Yes, but as written, the act does not mention perceived conflicts of interest.

Information & Ethics committee  It only mentions the possibility of conflict of interest situations or a potential conflict of interest situation, meaning an opportunity to further personal interests.

Information & Ethics committee  Yes.

Information & Ethics committee  On our side, essentially the public office holder has to have had direct and significant official dealings with the entity. It doesn't mean whether a contract was given to that organization. It's whether the minister at the time had had direct and significant official dealings with that organization.