Information & Ethics committee  Thank you. I do believe it was fair. Three rounds of consultations in any manner is fair. I would say that we have made strides in certain areas. The first proposed code of conduct that came in, in the first instance, proposed a $30 limit on hospitality. That also included tax, service fees, labour, the room charge, etc.

Information & Ethics committee  I'd just say that our testimony was in line with the different submissions that we put in during the consultation, which really focused on the issues on the hospitality front as well as on the political work front.

Information & Ethics committee  You probably know the answer to that question more than I do, but I would say that individuals—it could be young Canadians, seniors or any Canadians—are volunteering on political campaigns because they want to be participating democratically and they're passionate about individual candidates or individual parties that they personally believe in.

Information & Ethics committee  I would just draw a very clear distinction between the ethics act and the ethics commissioner and the Lobbying Act and the Commissioner of Lobbying.

Information & Ethics committee  I would say that the Lobbying Act and the Lobbyists' Code of Conduct are already so robust that they really does keep lobbyists compliant with the law and with the code. That's why we see such a low rate of non-compliance. It's because lobbyists are already naturally risk-averse with their clients or with the organizations, associations or companies that they work with.

Information & Ethics committee  That's just not the truth. There are specific rules and laws that exist in Canada that don't exist in the U.S. The main one I would point out is PACs. PACs don't exist in Canada. Money and politics don't exist the same way they do in the U.S. For us to go to U.S.-style lobbying through the code of conduct is just not possible.

Information & Ethics committee  That would be the Commissioner of Lobbying.

Information & Ethics committee  That's a good question.

Information & Ethics committee  I would say you're definitely touching on something there. As you know, a lot of young Canadians involve themselves in politics. It could be working on Parliament Hill, it could be canvassing, it could be door knocking or it could be whatever. As I said before, the renewed code would introduce uncertainty on that activity.

Information & Ethics committee  I think that's exactly it. I would also say that current lobbyists, or those looking to get into the lobbying sector, are naturally risk-averse and certainly wouldn't want to get into any situation in which they would be breaking the law or breaking the code of conduct. I totally agree with you that it would prevent most, if not all, from getting involved in the political process through canvassing, door knocking, dropping off literature or even in senior roles.

Information & Ethics committee  It's a great question. I would say that the renewed code introduces uncertainty to the process. Whether you're canvassing one time or 10 times or 20 times, it's not very clear what precludes you from receiving that sense of obligation or not being able to engage in the lobbying process.

Information & Ethics committee  Good morning, everyone. Thanks for braving the snow this morning to be here in person. My name is Kyle Larkin. Thank you, Chair, and thank you to the members of the committee for inviting us to testify today. I'm the treasurer of the Public Affairs Association of Canada, also known as PAAC.