Information & Ethics committee  Under the act there aren't too many rules around it, so I would basically follow the same process if I were going to self-initiate as I would follow for one requested by an MP or a senator.

Information & Ethics committee  I have to come to a decision on the complaint made, so I would come to a conclusion. But I've found that each of the three, four, or five reports I've put out is different, and I handle each a little bit differently. For example, in one of them I actually suggested that if Parlia

Information & Ethics committee  The definition of a public office-holder is not the clearest in the world, and some areas could be improved by some amendments. With the example you gave of the people who were asked to voluntarily comply, the wording of the act refers to people appointed by the Governor in Counc

Information & Ethics committee  If the government wants to catch them, it would have to amend the legislation.

Information & Ethics committee  I haven't been asked to give it, but I could do it.

Information & Ethics committee  I've made the observation that a summer student in a minister's office is under exactly the same rules as a minister or a deputy minister. Sometimes this creates some problems for that summer student. For example, if they're relying on a McDonald's job for the year, they have to

Information & Ethics committee  I did apply the act to everybody who was covered by the act. That's the short answer. There were some changes from the code to the act.

Information & Ethics committee  No.

Information & Ethics committee  That's right. I'm having trouble hearing the questions. I'm sorry, but that's why I'm answering you in English. It's because I'm getting the English. If you'll excuse me....

Information & Ethics committee  The main changes in the code are probably the application of investigations beyond ministers and parliamentary secretaries to anybody covered by the act. That's probably the biggest change. The other is the possibility of applying penalties under the act. That did not exist befor

Information & Ethics committee  The maximum penalty that I can impose is $500, and they're all related to deadlines that are missed. It's not for failure to comply with the conflict of interest rules; they're for deadlines. They're called administrative monetary penalties and they're like fines effectively.

Information & Ethics committee  Mr. Soudas was investigated, but he was basically exonerated in my report. He was found to have not failed to comply with the predecessor of the act. It gets very confusing, because before the act there was a code for public office-holders. Now there's a code for MPs but an act

Information & Ethics committee  I think the decision would have been the same. I basically found that he had done the job expected of him as an assistant in the Prime Minister's Office. He had simply looked into a long-standing court case that had gone on for about 10 years. It was quite reasonable that he aske

Information & Ethics committee  I have no examples of recusals in that area at all.

Information & Ethics committee  Generally speaking, I find that Canada has relatively more stringent rules than other countries in these areas, but I actually have not looked into the question of sponsored travel. I could do so if you would like me to.