Information & Ethics committee  I don't have information on that. The only thing I've heard from some is that if they're not hitting the “significant amount of time”, they're choosing not to register, where they might have registered in the past. I don't know whether they're continuing with the same level of activity, or whether they've actually reduced it.

Information & Ethics committee  Internally, we've done what we can with the registration system. We've tried to make it as easy as possible for them to manoeuvre through dashboards, to cut and paste, and even to go back and forth between languages. However, the problem I've heard from some has to do with the monthly communication report.

Information & Ethics committee  The monthly communication reports—

Information & Ethics committee  They don't want to find themselves in breach of the act. When I'm looking at monthly communication returns, I see a lot of confusion or over-reporting, because they would rather over-report when there are no negative consequences than find themselves in breach or in the newspaper for not having filed.

Information & Ethics committee  Given how often I see it being used, I would say it has improved transparency.

Information & Ethics committee  For the monthly reports right now, I think it makes sense to have the senior officer certifying the monthly communication return. However, I believe there is an argument for listing the lobbyists who actually attend the meeting. It's quite conceivable that the CEO wouldn't attend the meeting.

Information & Ethics committee  I'd say it's very specific to their cases. It's one of those things for which, when we're sending something over, we really do spend a lot of time trying to make sure the file is complete and comprehensive. In one case we had determined that the individual had registered, and one of the reasons people register is that they are paid.

Information & Ethics committee  Could you say that again? I'm sorry, they're referred--

Information & Ethics committee  It's not because they were with the RCMP for two years. When the Lobbying Act came into force, the period of time within which a matter could be investigated and charges could be laid was extended. Previously everything had to be done in two years. So you can imagine my office looking into it, reviewing it, sending it over to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and then they would do their own fact-finding before they would....

Information & Ethics committee  For example, we'll keep an eye out for other allegations arising in the media and for other things that come in on the registration side. I can actually say that in one file where it is noted that the registration provided accurate information, there was a question. When we looked at it, the individual had properly registered as a consultant lobbyist, but there was some question as to whether they were an in-house lobbyist or not.

Information & Ethics committee  Well, that's one of the things we've been putting in place. It's an interesting phenomenon that we're starting to have those who are coming forward and voluntarily disclosing. So I've been putting a continuum in place, but between my director of registration client services and my director of investigations, we are keeping an eye to see whether this is a recurring problem with some individuals.

Information & Ethics committee  It's a good question. When someone breaches the act, I would like to see something a little bit more severe than an essay. Go ahead.

Information & Ethics committee  Yes. There are four of them.

Information & Ethics committee  Are you referring to the reason why I will produce a report?

Information & Ethics committee  It is to demonstrate the transparency of lobbying as well as the transparency of my mandate. It is also in the interest of lobbyists or other persons who would want to see what happens when there is an offense.