Information & Ethics committee  In terms of operations, we look for people who know how to interpret the act, who can communicate well verbally and in writing, who can speak both languages and who are comfortable doing so. As for investigations, given the sensitive and complicated nature of this field, we look for people who have already worked on a variety of investigations, who can analyze and manage information, and who can prepare comprehensive reports.

Information & Ethics committee  All of those currently on staff are not new to the public service; they have come to us from other departments because they have won competitions or were interested and were deployed.

Information & Ethics committee  First of all, I think that education and training are extremely important. One of the things I actually put into place was a learning and training policy. There are four types of mandatory training that the staff have to take, such as harassment training, health and safety. In addition, as we go through the evaluation process, employees each fill out a training plan that looks at their future—the training they need within the next year or two or three years, or the long-term objectives.

Information & Ethics committee  We're still hiring.

Information & Ethics committee  My full complement is 28, and I believe we're at 25 right now. We're in the process of finalizing the position for the CIO, chief information officer.

Information & Ethics committee  Right. Just to give you an idea, employees are very happy within the organization. On the public service survey that was done in 2008, I think in most of the things we scored either A or A+ in terms of how we're managing the organization. People feel very comfortable in terms of speaking truth to power.

Information & Ethics committee  Actually it is. When we did the competition for the chief information officer, it allowed people external to and within the government to apply. So that was one method. I also had a co-op student from Carleton University who worked with us for a while to gain experience.

Information & Ethics committee  We have a student coming back to us this summer. I believe it's her third summer with us, and she has gained experience on the registry. In the summer people are going in and out on vacation, and we now have someone from outside the public service who keeps coming back to us year after year.

Information & Ethics committee  Thank you. In terms of how I see things changing as the process continues to evolve and as we look at the future, I think continuing to attract young Canadians to the public service is important. As I said in my opening remarks, I think the public service provides a wide variety of challenges and opportunities to Canadians that allow them to move around.

Information & Ethics committee  Thank you. Mr. Chair and members of the committee, it is an honour and a privilege to have been nominated for the position of Commissioner of Lobbying and to appear before you to consider my candidacy for this important position. I would like to make some introductory remarks to highlight various aspects of my career.