ETHI Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 15

Thursday, May 13, 2010

The Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics met in a televised session at 11:14 a.m. this day, in Room 237-C, Centre Block, the Chair, Paul Szabo, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Kelly Block, Patricia Davidson, Carole Freeman, Pierre Poilievre, Greg Rickford, Bill Siksay and Paul Szabo.

Acting Members present: Scott Andrews for Judy Foote, Meili Faille for Ève-Mary Thaï Thi Lac, Francis Valeriote for Hon. Wayne Easter and Chris Warkentin for Rick Casson.

Other Members present: Hon. Diane Finley.

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Alysia Davies, Analyst ; Dara Lithwick, Analyst.

Witnesses: Department of Human Resources and Skills Development: Ryan Sparrow, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister, Human Resources and Skills Development; Peter Larose, Assistant Deputy Minister, Public Affairs and Stakeholder Relations; Patricia Valladao, Chief, Media Relations.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)h)(vi) and the motion adopted by the Committee on Thursday, April 1, 2010, the Committee resumed its study on allegations of interference in access to information requests.

Ryan Sparrow made a statement and answered questions.

Carole Freeman moved, — That, with respect to allegations of systematic political interference by ministers’ offices to block, delay or impede the release of public information on departmental activities, the Committee call the following persons to appear:

Tom Makichuk, Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator from the department of Public Works and Government Services Canada;

Jackie Holden, Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator from the department of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada;

Ann Wesch, Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator from the department of Privy Council Office;

Denise Brennan, Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator from Treasury Board Canada Secretariat;

Monique McCulloch, Access to Information and Privacy Acting Coordinator from the department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and the result of the vote was announced: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 5.

Whereupon, the Chair voted in the affirmative.

Accordingly, the motion was agreed to.

Patricia Valladao and Peter Larose answered questions.

Francis Valeriote moved, — That the committee orders the Department of Public Works and Government Services Canada to provide it with all email correspondence from July 2008 to January 19, 2010 between Sébastien Togneri and officials who work or worked within the Access to Information Branch of Public Works and Government Services Canada. The committee also orders all email correspondence from July 2008 to January 19, 2010 between Sébastien Togneri and Tom Makichuk, all email correspondence from July 2008 to January 19, 2010 between Sébastien Togneri and Jillian Andrews, and all email correspondence from July 2008 to January 19, 2010 between Sébastien Togneri and Isabelle Bouchard. And requests that said material be delivered to the committee within 5 days.

The question was put on the motion and the results of the vote was announced: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 5.

Whereupon, the Chair voted in the affirmative.

Accordingly, the motion was agreed to.

At 12:56 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Jacques Maziade
Clerk of the Committee

2010/05/14 9:50 a.m.