Government Operations committee  The programs are first distributed to the departments. For example, such and such a department must develop such and such a program. The Privy Council Office ensures that the work is done and that there is interdepartmental coordination, because these programs often involve other departments.

Government Operations committee  Just to give a bit of context, when the commission was first established by order in council, before the issue of Mr. Morgan's nomination came before this committee, the secretariat was established quickly. We brought in Mr. Peter Harrison, who was the executive director at the time.

Government Operations committee  It's based on the anticipation of having a secretariat operating at full complement, rather than just the minimum staff right now.

Government Operations committee  In terms of the work that's being done now, I'd say that by the end of the summer it would be at that type of decision point of saying—

Government Operations committee  I'd say so.

Government Operations committee  When a position becomes vacant, when we announce the position, we set out the selection criteria and the necessary qualifications for the position. Those are set out looking at the enabling legislation and the history of the organization. We talk to the responsible department that oversees that organization to get their feedback on what we're looking for that position.

Government Operations committee  With respect to the agents of Parliament whom you enumerated in quoting from that passage, the Accountability Act provides for the new appointment provisions for those agents of Parliament. So that's been done. With respect to the appointments at large, as I've said, we've run more than 100 selection processes while this government has been in power, and we're aiming to increase the scope of positions that are covered by these open selection processes.

Government Operations committee  Basically, since the attempt to establish the public appointments commission, we endeavour to be ready to move into a system where there's a public appointments commission overseeing things. There was work that was done in the public appointments commission secretariat. Peter Harrison was in that position for a while and did a lot of preparatory work.

Government Operations committee  The minister does not make the final decision. The minister makes the decision on who to recommend to cabinet, and cabinet makes the final decision.

Government Operations committee  Yes. The responsible minister for the organization makes recommendations for appointments to agencies, boards, commissions, and crown corporations. For deputy ministers and diplomats there is a different process. I'll focus on the agencies, boards, commissions, and crown corporations.

Government Operations committee  A selection committee is formed to examine the people who apply. It conducts interviews and comes up with a short list of qualified candidates. It basically tells the responsible minister that from all the people who applied, these are the ones who are qualified for the position.

Government Operations committee  For members who are not the heads of agencies, we don't run selection processes--not for all of them. Some agencies, like the Veterans Review and Appeal Board, the National Parole Board, IRB, Employment Insurance, and CPP, run selection processes. If they're part-time positions where people meet four times a year and are paid a per diem of $400—

Government Operations committee  I don't remember offhand the specifics of the AECL chair, but we normally run a selection process for chairs and CEOs. We announce the position and receive applications. We have a selection committee that considers the applications, conducts interviews, and makes a recommendation to the minister on those who are qualified for the position.

Government Operations committee  I've only been working in the appointment secretariat since January 23, 2006, purely by coincidence. So I haven't seen how previous governments have operated. If you look at the number of appointments, in fact this government has been making fewer appointments than were made in the past.

Government Operations committee  It has a role at two levels. For all the appointments, whether they're full-time or part-time, for heads of agencies or members, we do a sort of due diligence check. An appointment comes in as a recommendation from the responsible minister. We do a due diligence check to ensure that the appointment satisfies the terms of the enabling legislation.