Statement made on 22 June 2009 by Senator Catherine Callbeck
Senator Callbeck:
Thank you, Ms. Shepherd, for appearing today, and I congratulate you on your nomination for the Commissioner of Lobbying. You certainly have extensive service in the public service.
The 2007-08 report of the Office of the Registrar of Lobbyists states that the number of active registered lobbyists had stabilized and has actually fallen. Since that time, we now have an independent office; we have increased staff; and the financial budget has increased. Back in 2007-08 it was $3.4 million; in the last budget it was $4.5 million. Therefore, it has gone up roughly about a third.
What will this office be doing with these extra resources that it was not getting done before the Federal Accountability Act?
Ms. Shepherd: The reason we received additional resources was to increase the necessary staff on the investigation side and on the registration side.
In terms of going forward, one of the things that has been happening since I have joined the office is we have been in constant "build mode" in acquiring the necessary resources.
The seven-year mandate will allow us to move forward with the registry and continue to make improvements to it. Education and outreach is now an official mandate, so there will be resources and the necessary tools in terms of getting the message out.
On the enforcement side, it is all about having the processes and procedures in place so that we can better manage our case file management system and get the decisions out.
Senator Callbeck: The mandate has not changed. You still have the registration, education and enforcement side; is that right?
Ms. Shepherd: The education mandate is now an official mandate as opposed to something that we had considered a priority in the office. Education is all important in terms of better compliance.
With respect to enforcement, changes to the act mean that "reason to believe" is now at a lower threshold for me to initiate an investigation. Once I initiate an investigation, I can compel not only witnesses but also documents.
The act, in my opinion, has been strengthened in terms of acquiring an official education mandate and it has increased in terms of the new disclosure requirements and improving the compliance measures accessible to me.
Senator Callbeck: In other words, the act has been strengthened rather than adding anything new.
Ms. Shepherd: I would say, yes, it has been strengthened.