Information & Ethics committee  Just make them tough. Don't make them like a traffic ticket. They have to be tough enough that it hurts them where it counts if they break rules.

Information & Ethics committee  There's enough innuendo about our industry. We want these rules toughened up so that everybody takes them very seriously. It's in our interest, the people who are in our profession, that the penalties be serious.

Information & Ethics committee  Thank you for that question. I think it might help. Remember, when you accept a board position, your fiduciary responsibility is to that corporation. Right now, a member of the board is treated like a consultant lobbyist. Now, I think consultant lobbyists are great people—

Information & Ethics committee  —but that's not really where.... Their fiduciary responsibilities are to that corporation, so I think this might make them less concerned if they are asked to take part in conversations with the government on behalf of that corporation. They'd be properly designated as directors of the corporation and not as consultant lobbyists.

Information & Ethics committee  That's a good question. I'd say it has made it more difficult to get into the industry. But on the other hand, for those people who are established, it's probably been a benefit.

Information & Ethics committee  Madam Chair, I've been around long enough to see these trends. When I started out in the industry, practically nobody lobbied. Then we went to a situation where everybody felt they had to lobby. Now we're pulling back to where there's advice, counsel, and people who lobby. We stand by the comments we made earlier on here.

Information & Ethics committee  It's a good question. Both the previous Liberal government and this Conservative government made very significant changes to the ability to fundraise with corporations and other institutions. They put great limits on what those donations can be. I think it's $1,000. You're not going to influence anybody for $1,000.

Information & Ethics committee  Oh, I agree. I agree completely. I think the province you're referring to is Alberta. I would be treated much the same way that a corporation head would be treated here at the federal level. One of the recommendations that I think the CBA made is in fact that the individuals who are doing the lobbying should be the ones registered.

Information & Ethics committee  People in public life pay a price, for sure, for being in public life, and this particular government has set a high standard, a high bar. Five years is a long time, but all the knowledge that you have gained can still be put to good use, even though you cannot lobby or communicate to public office holders.

Information & Ethics committee  Let me be clear. Hill + Knowlton does both. We are registered lobbyists, and we provide advice and counsel. I think with the way the act is currently defined, the focus on actual communication with the public office holder is fine. If you start going down the path to broaden the definition beyond that, I think you're going to capture so many people it'll be meaningless.

Information & Ethics committee  Yes, I think there should be quarterly reports.

Information & Ethics committee  Thank you for that question. No, I don't think it has encumbered it in any way. I think the monthly reports are overkill, and I've tried to explain why, but on balance I've got to say I'm very proud of the system we have in place. It's a very good system. I can tell you it's head and shoulders above the United States' system.

Information & Ethics committee  On that point, I go back to the preamble to the act. Do we want a system that impedes the free and open access to government? How would you feel about doing all those registrations each month? Would that make you less likely to see people? It might.

Information & Ethics committee  We haven't categorized them except to say they should be tough. Make them tough. They have to be tough enough so that people understand there's a price to be paid if they break the code or, worse, break the law.

Information & Ethics committee  Who would define that commercial sensitivity? If it's self-defined, then five years from now you'd be wanting to tighten up that provision. I just think it's easier and corrects the problem I've identified if you do that type of contact report quarterly.