ETHI Committee Report
If you have any questions or comments regarding the accessibility of this publication, please contact us at accessible@parl.gc.ca.
CHAIR’S FOREWORD
My colleagues on the Committee, representing all parties in the House of Commons, have demonstrated what a Standing Committee can accomplish when its Members focus on an area of shared concern. In this fashion, Parliament worked and worked well. We began the 38th Parliament as a new Standing Committee with no mandate; however, we quickly saw eye-to-eye on a number of issues, the first of which was the need for an alternative funding mechanism for Officers of Parliament.
The Committee began its work on the funding issue with the realization that there was a conflict of interest (if not real, certainly perceived) with Canada’s Parliamentary Officers seeking budget approval from the very government which they investigate. We shared a belief that Parliamentarians must have a greater role in determining the budgets of its Officers, and we have made recommendations in this report to that end.
All Members knew that this was a step toward restoring public confidence in Parliament and its Officers. I am very pleased with this report and how we were able to very quickly come to a consensus, once we heard from our various witnesses. I look forward to continued involvement and future studies with the dynamic membership of this Committee.
A Parliamentary Committee could not function without a very large number of people who work to ensure that we are able to do our jobs. From the security guards who make sure we are not disturbed, to the messengers and assistants who run errands, the translators, interpreters, proceedings monitors, all of whom work quietly, often unnoticed, ensuring that we are able to keep going. In particular, I would like to mention our Clerks, Jean-Philippe Brochu & Bernard G. Fournier, and our Library Analysts, Kristen Douglas, Nancy Holmes & Lydia Scratch. They have made our jobs so much easier. I would also like to thank David Tilson who stepped in very capably as Acting Chair during my absence. I am deeply indebted to all of you.
The Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics is less than a year old and has already learned so much. However, we have so much more to do.
It is truly an honour to be your Chair.
David Chatters, Chair
Member of Parliament for Westlock — St. Paul
May 2005