Information & Ethics committee  It's rather difficult because what we do is all confidential. I can only give you the number of people who have consulted us, who have been invited and so on. To the extent that people get in contact with my office and ask a question or want advice on something, we give it. If they don't follow it after we say, “You have to do this and this; otherwise you're in conflict”, there is a breach and obviously we start an investigation.

Information & Ethics committee  First of all, there is the appointment process. People have to apply. Then they have an interview. The interview process involves people from the government and a couple of people from the private sector. In my case, it was a retired judge who sat on the panel. Then whoever is selected is put forward to all the parties of the House and they have to vote.

Information & Ethics committee  Well, there's no magic bullet. It's basically education and using every medium possible to get the message out. Then, certainly, there's having investigations, calling it as it is and making sure that where there is a conflict, it is highlighted and explained. Hopefully, that will serve as a deterrent for others.

Information & Ethics committee  It's a good question. It's probably understanding the digital challenge and what it represents to the whole of government, including my office, and how to use it positively. We all see how it's being used—quite often negatively—but it can also be a very useful tool. I don't think we have really mastered it.

Information & Ethics committee  Melanie, can you answer this question?

Information & Ethics committee  My main challenge in the short term is to communicate the strategy I have announced. Our first task is to facilitate the movement of talent between the public and private sectors, which means avoiding conflicts of interest. So far, we've focused on conflicts of interest and seen facilitation as a secondary task.

Information & Ethics committee  Sandy, go ahead.

Information & Ethics committee  I'm not responsible for lobbying. Ms. Bélanger will appear after me. You should ask her these questions.

Information & Ethics committee  As I said, I deal with conflicts of interest. Neither Ms. Byrne nor...is responsible under the Conflict of Interest Act or the code. All of these activities she's doing are totally outside my remit.

Information & Ethics committee  Ministerial staff are, obviously, people the minister hires to advise him. Yes, ministerial staff are subject to the Conflict of Interest Act. There's no question about it. I don't know what further definition to give you. It's somebody the minister hires to advise him in the function of his office.

Information & Ethics committee  You have to give me a specific factual situation and the details of what you think is the conflict. If it is in violation or possibly in violation of the act, obviously we will look at it. However, you're speaking purely hypothetically and throwing a name at me, so I'm sorry; I can't give you a more complete answer.

Information & Ethics committee  Ms. Byrne is a private consultant, is she not?

Information & Ethics committee  Where is the conflict here?

Information & Ethics committee  Surely my job is to make sure that a public official does not abuse information and create a conflict of interest. How they conduct their own political activity—whom they consult, etc.—is not part of it. I fail to see, from what you just put forward to me.... You invite these people to your sessions.

Information & Ethics committee  No, I have not looked at it, and nobody has raised it with me except you today.