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ETHI Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
 
Meeting No. 46
 
Thursday, November 17, 2005
 

The Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics met in camera at 11:07 a.m. this day, in Room 308, West Block, the Acting Chair, David Tilson, presiding.

 

Members of the Committee present: Hon. Navdeep Bains, David Chatters, Odina Desrochers, Ken Epp, Hon. Marlene Jennings, Mario Laframboise, Derek Lee, Tom Lukiwski, Pat Martin, Russ Powers, David Tilson and Paul Zed.

 

Acting Members present: Susan Kadis for Hon. Navdeep Bains.

 

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Kristen Douglas, Analyst; Nancy Holmes, Analyst.

 
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the Committee on Thursday, November 3, 2005, the Committee commenced its study of the legislative proposals of the Information Commissioner of Canada.
 

The Committee commenced consideration of a draft report on the legislative proposals of the Information Commissioner of Canada.

 

It was agreed, — That the draft report, as amended, be adopted.

 

ORDERED, — That the Chair present the report to the House.

 
The Committee proceeded to the consideration of matters related to Committee business.
 
It was agreed, — That the departments of Agriculture and Agrifood, Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Justice, National Library and Archives, and the Privy Council Office provide this committee a brief summary on a quarterly basis which shows the following information concerning their access to information files for the previous quarter:

1. How many new files opened?

2. How many files completed successfully during the past quarter?

3. How many total files that are open?

4. How many files have been deemed refusal (beyond 30 days)?

5. How many complaints are you aware of that are registered against the department with the Information Commissioner?

This information should also be provided for the time period of April 1, 2005 to October 18, 2005. This brief is to be filed with the clerk of the Committee on a quarterly basis within ten days after the end of that quarter.

 
It was agreed, — That to give a more reasonable opportunity for exchanges with witnesses, the time allocated for questions be changed to: 8 minutes in the first round for each party, and 5 minutes in subsequent rounds.
 
It was agreed, — That the Committee call Maria Barrados, President of the Public Service Commission of Canada to appear before the Committee to discuss her role with the Privacy Commissioner's Office and their delegated authority for the hiring of staff.
 
The following motion was moved, — That the Committee recommend to the House of Commons that the Lobbyist Registrar’s Office be removed from Industry and be placed as an independent Parliamentary Agent, similar to that of the Ethics Commissioner.
 
Debate arose thereon.
 
It was agreed, — That the motion be allowed to stand until the next meeting of the Committee.
 
It was agreed, — That, subject to the availability of witnesses, the Committee schedule the following meetings:

- Tuesday, November 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with senior officials from the Public Service Commission to discuss the role of the Commission with the Privacy Commissioner's Office and their delegated authority for the hiring of staff;

- Thursday, November 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with Robert F. Benson, Deputy Ethics Commissioner to discuss “Issues and Challenges 2005”;

- Tuesday, November 29, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a delegation of ten senior government officials from Mexico to discuss privacy promotion and protection in Canada;

- Thursday, December 1, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. a round table with non-governmental organizations to discuss privacy issues.

 

At 12:48 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

 



Michael MacPherson
Clerk of the Committee

 
 
2005/11/17 3:54 p.m.