Information & Ethics committee  What I can say is that under the code of conduct there are rules for which lobbyists are not entitled to put you, public office holders, in a situation where it puts you in a conflict of interest or demonstrates that it's preferential access or preferential treatment. If there is a previous relationship that exists for whatever reason, that would be improper.

Information & Ethics committee  The Lobbying Act provides that I can give an exemption for those who have been there for a very short period of time, who had administrative duties, possibly in an acting position for a very short period of time. In the last year we had 11 requests, and one that came from last year, so we had 12.

Information & Ethics committee  Good afternoon, Mr. Chair and members of the Committee. I would like to start by acknowledging that we are meeting today on the traditional territory of the Algonquin nation. I am very pleased to have the opportunity to discuss with you the Main Estimates, our accomplishments of the past year and our ongoing priorities.

Information & Ethics committee  Yes. There were 17 last year: 10 were granted and seven denied.

Information & Ethics committee  Yes. Absolutely. There are currently 50 files open on that complaints file.

Information & Ethics committee  I think a criterion of public interest might be an interesting way of looking at it because if someone wants to work with an international organization, I don't know if it would be because of this prohibition as a lobbyist. It might be because of certain rules under Commissioner Dion's mandate for former designated public office holders because you cannot go to work with someone with whom you have had significant official dealings.

Information & Ethics committee  Under the Lobbying Act as members of Parliament you're designated public office holders. Under the Conflict of Interest Act you're not. Some of you might be, but you have to be a minister or parliamentary secretary. There are obligations in that act that are forever and ever. There is no five-year....

Information & Ethics committee  I have numbers.

Information & Ethics committee  I like that question. The request that went before Treasury Board in the fall was a one-time $3 million over three years so it was a little more at the beginning and then spread out over the three years. Then after that, it would be $700,000 a year.

Information & Ethics committee  I think we're going to see more and more court challenges. Up to last year, the office had never had a court challenge. One was made, and it was resolved. Now two others are in progress. Judicial review essentially serves as an oversight mechanism for our work. In both challenges, my appointment and impartiality are being questioned and a reasonable decision is being sought.

Information & Ethics committee  When a public office-holder leaves office, they are subject to certain rules administered by Commissioner Dion. I would say the only thing they are prohibited from doing is lobbying, given that a lobbyist is in contact with public office-holders. Of course, an MP will have built relationships with their fellow members and acquired an understanding of internal workings.

Information & Ethics committee  I do not get a list. We read The Hill Times and we make sure that, when people announce they're retiring or that they will leave.... We do not get a list, so it is somewhat difficult to ensure that people who leave are aware of their responsibilities. I was in the other office when this practice started, but when someone leaves, the letter they obtain from Commissioner Dion will remind them of their obligation not to lobby under the Lobbying Act and to communicate with our office, but I do not get a list.

Information & Ethics committee  Yes, I do have some advice. The only thing I can recommend is to be diligent about writing down the names of the people you meet with and the issues you discuss. You can also advise them to register if they do satisfy the 20% rule. I don't think, though, that it's up to you to make sure they satisfy the rule.

Information & Ethics committee  Registration could be automatic, but that's not the case now. The act, in its current form, isn't built that way, so legislative amendments would be necessary to require all those companies to register.

Information & Ethics committee  Yes, absolutely. In that case, they would be required to register. If, when added together, the percentage of time spent by each individual on lobbying exceeds 20%, they do have an obligation to register.