Information & Ethics committee  Since April, I think there was another 4.6% decrease in the overall number of registrations. But when I'm looking at what's happening in the States, it seems to be pretty consistent there as well, in that the economy is still playing a role.

Information & Ethics committee  There may have been more activity in certain months. At the end of the year, what is important is what is there. It is possible to determine the point in the year when activity was highest. If we compare it with the annual reports, it is activities in March. That is where we have

Information & Ethics committee  They can ask me to come before this committee to discuss the report, but it is tabled before both houses.

Information & Ethics committee  I'll ask my legal counsel if he can comment further on that.

Information & Ethics committee  There are a number of reasons. I think the economy has played a role. I've seen in some articles in American newspapers that they've noticed a drop in registrations due to the economy as well. In addition, among corporations and organizations, we also noted in last year's annua

Information & Ethics committee  On whether I would welcome comments from this committee, the answer is clearly yes. I would look at them. The act I'm administering is a parliamentary act, after all. On comments as to where there may be changes, the act is coming up for review in 2010, so there will be another

Information & Ethics committee  There is no financial penalty or jail term for a breach of the code, but when conducting an investigation I am obliged to table a report before Parliament. I can tell you that of the four reports the previous office tabled in Parliament, the names of these individuals carry qui

Information & Ethics committee  The activity in question is probably whether the individual was registered, and it might be that I'd be looking at a breach of the code as opposed to a breach of the act in that particular scenario.

Information & Ethics committee  Not that I'm aware of, but I can get back to the member on that one.

Information & Ethics committee  Not that I'm aware of, no.

Information & Ethics committee  Yes.

Information & Ethics committee  It does.

Information & Ethics committee  Mr. Chair, I'm not sure if we're not potentially getting into a specific case in terms of my comments.

Information & Ethics committee  Under our act there are not.

Information & Ethics committee  I'll let counsel add to this. As far as I can see, the act is pretty specific in that the communication has to be with the public office-holder. That's what I have the ability to look at.