History of the Office: 2011-2017

Letter sent from seven agents of Parliament (Interim Auditor General, Lobbying Commissioner, Chief Electoral Officer, Information Commissioner, Privacy Commissioner, Official Languages Commissioner, Interim Public Sector Integrity Commissioner) regarding the independence and accountability of agents of Parliament (sent February ​16, 2011, as well as on September 2011 to the House and Senate Speakers, to the chairs of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, the Standing Committee on Access to Information Privacy and Ethics, the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, the Standing Committee Official Languages, the Standing Committee Government Operations and Estimates, and others).​​

​Commissioner Mary Dawson appears before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics on union sponsorship at the spring 2011 NDP convention.​​​

​​The Guergis Report issued (under the Code, section 8, Furthering Private Interests; section 9, Using Influence; and section 11, Attempts).​

​Debate on NDP motion to refer The Guergis Report to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs to resolve outstanding questions. House Speaker Andrew Scheer comments on subsection 28(9) of the Code, which gives the Member who is the subject of the report the right to make a statement in the House: Ms. Guergis is no long a Member, and the Committee is invited to examine the Code in light of this situation and make appropriate recommendations. House voted to concur in the report. ​

​​Conflict of Interest Act amended regarding outside employment (subsection 15(1.1) added). The amendment is included in Bill C-13, Keeping Canada’s Economy and Jobs Growing Act, which received Royal Assent on December 15, 2011.​

​Commissioner Mary Dawson appears before the House of Commons Liaison Committee (in camera).​

​The Paradis Report issued (under the Act—section 7, Preferential Treatment and subsection 6(1), Decision-making).​

​​Commissioner Mary Dawson ap​pears​ before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics on the Main Estimates for 2012-2013.​

​The Raitt Report issued (under the Act – section 11, Gifts and other Advantages).​

​Referrals from the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner: The Heinke andCharbonneau Report (under the Act— section 5, General Duty, and subsection 6(1), Decision-making).​

​Commissioner Mary Dawson app​ears before House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs in the context of their five-year review of the Code.​

​The 27th Report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding the review of the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons is concurred in by the House. The Committee requests an extension in its deliberations on the Code.​

​Referral from the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner: The Clement Report (under the Act—section 4, Conflict of Interest).​

​The Sullivan Report​ issued (under the Act—subsection 35(2), Prohibition on Representation).​

​House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics meets on its statutory five-year review of the Conflict of Interest Act (in camera).​

​House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics meets on its statutory five-year review of the Conflict of Interest Act (in camera).​

​Commissioner Mary Dawson provides the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics​ with a written submission outlining her recommendations for changes to the Conflict of Interest Act. No longer available publicly.​​

​House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics meets on its statutory five-year review of the Act. Meeting cut short because of votes in the House.​

​House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics mee​ts on its statutory five-year review of the Act. Appearing are Gregory Levine (in an individual capacity) and Ian Greene (York University).​

​House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics me​ets on its statutory five-year review of the Act. Appearing are Duff Conacher (Democracy Watch) and Lori Turnbull (Dalhousie University).​

​Commissioner Mary Dawson app​ears before the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women regarding sexual harassment in the federal workplace.​

​Commissioner Mary Dawson appe​ars before House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics as part of its statutory five-year review of the Conflict of Interest Act.​​

​House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics me​ets on its statutory five-year review of the Conflict of Interest Act. Appearing are Joe Wild (Privy Council Office) and Lorne Sossin (York University).

​House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics meets on its statutory five-year review of the Conflict of Interest Act. Appearing are Guy Giorno (Canadian Bar Association) and Yves Boisvert (École nationale d’administration publique).

​House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics meets on its statutory five-year review of the Conflict of Interest Act. Appearing are Jim Patrick & W. Scott Thurlow (Government Relations Institute of Canada) and Karen Shepherd (Lobbying Commissioner).

​House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics meets on its statutory five-year review of the Conflict of Interest Act. Appearing are Lynn Morrison (Integrity Commissioner of Ontario) and Paul D.K. Fraser (Conflict of Interest Commissioner of British Columbia).

​Commissioner Mary Dawson appears before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics as part of its statutory five-year review of the Conflict of Interest Act.

​The Hill Report issued (under the Act—section 33, Prohibitions after Leaving Office, subsection 35(3), Prohibition on Former Ministers, section 37, Report to Commissioner).

​House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics meets on its statutory five-year review of the Conflict of Interest Act—summary of evidence (in camera).

​Referral from the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner: The Fonberg Report​ (under the Act—subsection 6(1) Decision-making, section 7, Preferential Treatment, section 21, Duty to recuse).

​House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics meets on its statutory five-year review of the Conflict of Interest Act—summary of evidence (in camera).

​Commissioner Mary Dawson ap​pears before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics as part of its statutory five-year review of the Act. Meeting is in camera. Also met in public on the Main Estimates for 2013-2014.

​House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics meets on its statutory five-year review of the Conflict of Interest Act—summary of evidence (in camera).

​​House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics meets on its statutory five-year review of the Conflict of Interest Act—consideration of draft report (in camera).

​Liberal Senator Joseph Day introduces Bill S-2​22, to amend the Conflict of Interest Act (gifts). It narrows the circumstances in which public office holders and families may accept gifts, and expands circumstances in which reporting public office holders make disclosures and public declarations regarding gifts they and their families receive. The bill does not pass the Senate.

​Bill C-​60, Economic Action Plan 2013 Act, No. 1, receives Royal Assent. It amends the definition of “public office holder” in the Conflict of Interest Act to include person appointed or employed under the Public Service Employment Act who are heads of missions.

​NDP Member Alexandrine Latendresse’s private Member’s bill, Bill C-419, receives Royal Assent. It creates the Language Skills Act which requires persons appointed to certain offices, including the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, “must, at the time of his or her appointment, be able to speak and understand clearly both official languages.”

​​The Paradis Report (under the Act—section 5, General Duty; section 11, Gifts and other Advantages).

​​Conservative MP Mark Adler reintroduces Bill C-​520, Non-Partisan Offices of Agents of Parliament Act. The bill dies in the Senate.

​Liberal Senator Joseph Day introduces Bill S-20​7, to amend the Conflict of Interest Act (gifts). It narrows the circumstances in which public office holders and families may accept gifts, and expands circumstances in which reporting public office holders make disclosures and public declarations regarding gifts they and their families receive. The bill does not pass the Senate.

​House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics meets on its statutory five-year review of the Conflict of Interest Act—briefing by the analysts (in camera).

​House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics meets on its statutory five-year review of the Conflict of Interest Act (in camera).

​Commissioner Mary Dawson appe​ars before the Senate Standing Committee on Banking regarding Budget Bill C‑4, in relation to changes to the Canadian financial institutions legislation.​

​House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics meets on its statutory five-year review of the Conflict of Interest Act (in camera).

​House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics meets on its statutory five-year review of the Conflict of Interest Act (in camera).

​House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics meets on its statutory five-year review of the Conflict of Interest Act —adopt draft report (in camera).

​The Paradis Report (under the Code and the Act—section 5 [Code], Assisting Constituents, and section 64 [Act], Activities on Behalf of Constituents).

​Definition of “public office holder” and “reporting public office holder” amended in Conflict of Interest Act (paragraphs 2(1)(e) and (f), subsections 62.1(1) and 62.2(1)). Part of Bill C​-4, Economic Action Plan 2013 Act No. 2 receives Royal Assent on December 12, 2013.

C​ommissioner Mary Dawson appears before the Senate Standing Committee on National Finance, regarding the Main Estimates for 2013-2014.

​The House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics presents its report on the Statu​tory Review of the Conflict of Interest Act to the House of Commons.

​​Commissioner Mary Dawson appears before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics regarding Bill C-520, CPC MP Mark Adler’s private Member’s bill on the non-partisanship of agents and officers of Parliament. The bill dies in the Senate.

​Commissioner Mary Dawson appears before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics on the Main Estimates for 2014-2015.

​Commissioner Mary Dawson appears​ before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics to discuss the certificate of her nomination to the position of Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner.

​Reappointment of Mary Dawson as Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner for two years (see Journals). (Recommended in the 5th Report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics.)

​Bill C​-23 amends the definition of “public office holder” and “reporting public office holder” in the Conflict of Interest Act to include the Chief Electoral Officer (paragraph 2(1)(a)). 

​​The Lynn Report issued (under the Act—Prohibited Activities, paragraph 15(1)(b) and 15(1)(e)).

​​Issued: Order Designating Public Office Holders and Reporting Public Office Holders under Section 62.2 of the Conflict of Interest Act. (See Or​​​der.)

​The 1st ​Report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics, regarding the Statutory Review of the Conflict of Interest Act concurred in by the House. A government response was presented to the House on June 5, 2014, as required, given that the report was tabled in the House in February 2014. No action is taken to amend the Conflict of Interest Act.

​​The Glover Report is issued (under the Act—Fundraising).

​Referral from the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner: December 2014 Report issued (under the Act).​

​The 28th Report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs recommending changes to the Standing Orders, including changes to the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons is concurred in by the House.

​Commissioner Mary Dawson app​ears before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs on its review of the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons.

​Referral from the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner: The Bonner Report issued (under the Act—Acceptability of Gifts).

​The Finley Report issued (under the Act—a Preferential Treatment).

​Commissioner Mary Dawson app​ears before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics on the Main Estimates for 2015-2016.

​The 39th ​Report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs recommending changes to the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons, following a review of the Code, is concurred in by the House. (Extensive changes to the Code.)

​The Kosick Report (under the Act—subsection 35(1), Prohibition on Contracting).

​The 39th Report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs recommending changes to the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons comes into effect, the day after the October 19, 2015 federal election. (Extensive changes to the Code).

​Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly releases, for the first time, all ministerial mandate letters. The letters outline the government’s vision to deliver change and shared prosperity, and provide a framework for what ministers are expected to accomplish, including specific policy objectives and challenges to be addressed. Each letter notes that ministers must ensure that they are aware of and fully compliant with the Conflict of Interest Act and Treasury Board policies and guidelines. Ministers are each given a copy of Open and Accountable Government, with mention of the ethical guidelines set out in Annex A of the document, which apply to ministers and their staff. Ministers must uphold the highest standards of honest and impartiality, and the performance of their official duties and arrangement of their private affairs should bear the closest public scrutiny. This obligation is not fully discharged by simply acting within the law.

​Prime Minister Justin Trudeau makes public Open and Accountable Government (2015). The document lays out individual and collective ministerial responsibilities, details on ministers’ relationships with the prime minister and Cabinet, their portfolios and Parliament. It outlines the standards of conduct expected of ministers—including accountability and ethical guidelines—and addresses a range of administrative, procedural and institutional matters. It also provides guidance to ministerial exempt staff.

​Prime Minister Justin Trudeau makes public, for the first time, the Guide for Parliamentary Secretaries. It is designed to provide them with information about their role within Canada’s system of responsible parliamentary government. The guide outlines the rules and policies that relate to their work, including their activities pertaining to House of Commons business and their departmental-related duties as assigned by their ministers.

​Commissioner Mary Dawson appea​rs before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs to provide a briefing on the Office and the Committee’s recent review of the Code.

​Commissioner Mary Dawson app​ears before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics to brief the Committee as the Committee considers its future business.

​The Gill Report issued (under the Act—section 9, Influence).

​The 4th Rep​ort of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding matters relating to the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons is concurred in by the House (disclosure forms).

​Commissioner Mary Dawson appears before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics on the Main Estimates for 2016-2017.

​​Introduction of Bill C​-22, An Act to establish the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians and to make consequential amendments to certain Act. Amends definition of “public office holder” in subsection 2(1) of the Conflict of Interest Act. See progress of legislation he​re.​

​​Appointment of Mary Dawson as Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner on an interim basis, for a term of six months, effective July 9, 2016. Issued by Privy Council Office (Parliament of Canada Act, subsection 82(2); see Privy Council Office, PC 2016-0661).

​The Vennard Report issued (under the Act—subsection 11(1), Gifts and other Advantages).

​Commissioner Mary Dawson appears before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics to provide a briefing for the Committee (“exit interview”).

​Referral from the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner: The Bennett Report​ issued (under the Act—section 11, Gifts and other Advantages).

​Appointment of Mary Dawson as Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner on an interim basis, for a term of six months, effective January 9, 2017. Issued by Privy Council Office (Parliament of Canada Act, subsection 82(2); see Privy Council Office, PC 2016-1148).

​​The Philpott Report  issued (under the Act—section 7 and subsection 6(1), Preferential Treatment and Decision-making).​

​Bill C​-44, Budget Implementation Act, 2017, No. 1, is introduced. Makes the Parliamentary Budget Officer an independent Officer of Parliament, with restrictions, and amends the Conflict of Interest Act to include the Parliamentary Budget Officer in subsections 2(1) and 24(2) (see clauses 187 and 188 of the bill).

​​The Toews Report issued (under the Act—subsections 34(1) and 35(1), Previously acting for the Crown and Prohibition on contracting).

​Commissioner Mary Dawson app​ears before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics on the Main Estimates for 2017-2018.

​The Wright Report issued (under the Act—subsection 6(1) and section 9, Decision-making and Influence).

​Appointment of Mary Dawson as Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner on an interim basis, for a term of six months, effective July 9, 2017. Issued by Privy Council Office (Parliament of Canada Act, subsection 82(2); see Privy Council Office, PC 2017-0699).

​Commissioner Mary Dawson appears before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs on Bill C​-50, Canada Elections Act (political financing).

​House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics agrees unanimously to study the Conflict of Interest Act, as seen in the following motion (see minutes and testi​mony):

“That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(h)(vi), the Committee undertake a study of the Conflict of Interest Act and how it relates to public office holders; that the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner be invited to discuss her 2013 recommendations provided in the context of the five-year review of the Act; and that this study begin in January or February 2018."

​Certificate of Nomination of Mario Dion as Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner tabled in the House of Commons (Sessional Paper No. 8540-421-25-07, see Jou​rnals).

​House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics agrees that Mario Dion, nominee for the position of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, be invited to appear. (See minutes.)

​Mario Dion appears before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics on the certificate of nomination as Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner. (See minutes and testi​mony.)

​The House of Commons agrees, on division, to approve the appointment of Mario Dion as Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, for a term of seven years. (See Jour​nals, p. 2562.) 

​​The Trudeau Report issued under the Act and Code (Act: contravened sections 5, 11, 12 and 21, but not subsection 6(1) or section 7; Code: did not contravene section 14).