Information & Ethics committee  It was, for example, because the person had worked as a lobbyist only for a very short period of time. The last time I granted an exemption, it was to a student who had fulfilled some administrative functions for a very short period of time.

Information & Ethics committee  I can continue—as I indicated in my opening remarks—to examine whether I still have reasonable grounds to believe that a breach of the code has occurred. Then I can continue with the investigation once the matter has been dealt with.

Information & Ethics committee  This is one of the issues that I said could perhaps be looked at during the legislative review. I was referring exactly to that kind of issue. If organizations or corporations do not exceed a significant amount of time, they do not have to register. So, they are practising lobbying without being registered.

Information & Ethics committee  I've had a number of cases on the books, and I can come back on those particular ones. In speaking with my director of investigations and looking at our timelines and what we need to do on some of the files, I hope to table three files some time in February when the House is back; a couple in the spring; and then—I'd like some advice from the committee on this--probably a couple in the summer, depending on when the House recesses for the summer.

Information & Ethics committee  Yes, I have, because in a few of the cases.... I actually have indicated this on one of the takeaway slides. As I said, some cases do not deserve to be referred to the RCMP. For example, with their voluntary disclosures, some lobbyists have told us that it took them some time to register.

Information & Ethics committee  They might have been administrative monetary penalties, had I had that power. At this time, I have no power.

Information & Ethics committee  I'm sorry, Mr. Easter, can you refer me to where you're...?

Information & Ethics committee  This one I would have to get back to committee on. I've opened 23 administrative reviews alone this year, so I can get back to the committee on the status of this. The numbers change regularly, so I'd have to go back to those 16.

Information & Ethics committee  One of the reasons, aside from the fact that I thought I had reason to believe an investigation was necessary to ensure compliance with the act or the code, was that given the public interest on the file, I officially opened the investigation so that I would be tabling my findings and conclusions and reasons for those to Parliament, no matter what the outcome.

Information & Ethics committee  Of the six that I referred to the RCMP, five of them are currently back with me for reassessing in terms of determining what are reasonable grounds to proceed. One of them is still with the office.

Information & Ethics committee  I've been following the issue, and as you say, the lobbyists' code of conduct--

Information & Ethics committee  I'm aware there was a committee appearance, I guess, at lunch today, so I haven't had a chance to follow it. In terms of opening a review, at the time, the question I will have to look into, and I'm prepared to do so, given the public interest, is to determine whether there was breach of the code of conduct.

Information & Ethics committee  Actually, I do have the power to investigate, as I was indicating. I can open an investigation if I believe it is necessary to ensure compliance with the act and the code, and once I have that power I can summon testimony and witnesses. What I was referring to, though, was that in the course of either my administrative review or even during or after an investigation, if I have reasonable grounds to believe that a breach of the act has occurred, then I must transfer the file at that point to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Information & Ethics committee  I would see a continuum as some of the other federal acts have, where, for lesser transgressions--as I was saying, for late filings or for some other reasons--I may determine an interim monetary penalty would be better. For more serious transgressions, I think there's still be an argument to refer those to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Information & Ethics committee  Actually, I've officially opened an investigation on that file because I felt it was necessary to ensure compliance with the act and the code. As I indicated during my opening remarks, I have a process that I'm required to follow during the act, so in doing an investigation, if I find at any point that I have reasonable grounds, I must refer it to the RCMP if there's been a breach of the act.