Information & Ethics committee  I use the word “voluntary” because part 2 of the act deals with proactive disclosure of information. I'm trying to distinguish between those concepts. I don't think the act should require us to provide specific information. I think the government can go beyond that and disclose information voluntarily without a provision in the act requiring it to do so.

Information & Ethics committee  The government could change a lot of things. Information management is one of them. I think there is delinquency in that regard.

Information & Ethics committee  When we are told, in response to an access to information request, that there are 6,000 pages of documents on a particular topic, we have to ask ourselves: are there really 6,000 pages of information or are there 5,000 pages of copies and 1,000 pages that are really relevant? The government definitely needs to manage information well, especially since we now work from home.

Information & Ethics committee  Thank you.

Information & Ethics committee  It's really up to the department. There is a policy right now in the government that there is no legal obligation to document what goes on during meetings. I don't think there is anybody taping videos, but there should be notes or minutes taken. It's the same as when we were working at the office and had a group of people in a meeting.

Information & Ethics committee  I'm recommending, yes, that there be a duty to document any decision, whether by video, notes or minutes. The institutions and departments are making big decisions, bold decisions, and decisions that impact Canadians, so there should be a way to track those decisions, whether it's in writing or through different methods of recording.

Information & Ethics committee  We have definitely seen some delays caused by the pandemic. People don't have access to their offices. Especially for institutions that are working remotely and cannot access paper files, there have been some issues. We also see problems with the speed at which you can access your computers and ATIP.

Information & Ethics committee  We are working very hard right now on the processes to make sure that we limit the amount of time we spend investigating. We are trying to deal with complaints as quickly and as informally as possible. What will really help us is to receive fewer complaints. This can only happen if the government as a whole provides information to Canadians on a voluntary basis, without waiting for them to make access to information requests.

Information & Ethics committee  Canadians are very inquisitive and they know their rights. Some topics come up in the news, such as how much money the government has spent to deal with pandemic issues or vaccine contracts. Of course, Canadians are curious about this. So they often make access to information requests about matters in the news.

Information & Ethics committee  It is $3 million.

Information & Ethics committee  [Inaudible—Editor] million.

Information & Ethics committee  We're definitely looking at all of the different options. Right now we're not looking at getting more buildings or rental space, because people are enjoying working from home. However, I am told as well that people are missing their colleagues, the coffee talk and the lunches, and being able to to look to the colleague beside them for help sometimes.

Information & Ethics committee  My understanding is that the additional $12 million was given to the Treasury Board, the department responsible for administering the Access to Information Act and the process and systems. We didn't receive any of that money. It's for the government to better their system and improve their online request system.

Information & Ethics committee  Thank you.

Information & Ethics committee  Sorry. I didn't think I put myself on mute. I'm sorry. Mr. Gourde, it's not better than before, but it's not worse either. I am pleased that we have been able to keep up the pace at the Office. We have received over 4,000 complaints again this year and we managed to close 4,060 files, despite the fact that we have all been working from home since March of last year.