QUESTION PERIOD — Privy Council Office
Agents of Parliament
September 23, 2025
Now it is my turn to congratulate you and offer you my best wishes, Senator Moreau. I am delighted to have another neighbour from Quebec.
My question is about the appointment of officers of Parliament. There are nine of them, and their appointments must be approved by both Houses of Parliament.
Over the years, there have been last-minute interim appointments. I would like to focus on the most recent one, made by the current government. The Parliamentary Budget Officer, Jason Jacques, was given a few hours’ notice that he would be appointed on an interim basis for six months.
How do you explain that?
Thank you for the question, Senator Saint-Germain. I, too, am very happy to have a representative from Quebec as my neighbour.
I’m sure that happened because the general election resulted in a new government, a change in government. I realize it’s still the Liberal Party of Canada in power, but changes in government often result in unpredictable situations. I think that’s the only possible explanation in this case.
Clearly the government needs to pay attention to this kind of situation. I plan to raise the matter so as to avoid similar situations in future transitions.
I think the government is well aware of the problems this situation caused, and I imagine the rules can be changed to ensure better transitions in the future.
Thank you. I get that the government might have every intention of doing better, but do you think one solution might be tougher legislation that limits the government’s ability to make hasty interim appointments under certain conditions?
You know, in addition to representing the government in the Senate, one of my roles as Government Representative in the Senate is to liaise between the Senate and the government.
I will therefore be very open to any suggestions that could be made to the government in that regard to improve the rules and ensure that the type of situation you describe doesn’t happen again.
