Inquiries Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. I-11)

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Act current to 2012-01-24 and last amended on 2005-04-01. Previous Versions

Inquiries Act

R.S.C., 1985, c. I-11

An Act respecting public and departmental inquiries

SHORT TITLE

1. This Act may be cited as the Inquiries Act.

  • R.S., c. I-13, s. 1.

PART I

PUBLIC INQUIRIES

2. The Governor in Council may, whenever the Governor in Council deems it expedient, cause inquiry to be made into and concerning any matter connected with the good government of Canada or the conduct of any part of the public business thereof.

  • R.S., c. I-13, s. 2.

3. Where an inquiry as described in section 2 is not regulated by any special law, the Governor in Council may, by a commission, appoint persons as commissioners by whom the inquiry shall be conducted.

  • R.S., c. I-13, s. 3.

4. The commissioners have the power of summoning before them any witnesses, and of requiring them to

  • (a) give evidence, orally or in writing, and on oath or, if they are persons entitled to affirm in civil matters on solemn affirmation; and

  • (b) produce such documents and things as the commissioners deem requisite to the full investigation of the matters into which they are appointed to examine.

  • R.S., c. I-13, s. 4.

5. The commissioners have the same power to enforce the attendance of witnesses and to compel them to give evidence as is vested in any court of record in civil cases.

  • R.S., c. I-13, s. 5.

PART II

DEPARTMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS

6. The minister presiding over any department in the federal public administration may appoint, under the authority of the Governor in Council, a commissioner or commissioners to investigate and report on the state and management of the business, or any part of the business, of the department, either in the inside or outside service thereof, and the conduct of any person in that service, so far as the same relates to the official duties of the person.

  • R.S., 1985, c. I-11, s. 6;
  • 2003, c. 22, s. 174.
Previous Version

7. For the purposes of an investigation under section 6, the commissioners

  • (a) may enter into and remain within any public office or institution, and shall have access to every part thereof;

  • (b) may examine all papers, documents, vouchers, records and books of every kind belonging to the public office or institution;

  • (c) may summon before them any person and require the person to give evidence, orally or in writing, and on oath or, if the person is entitled to affirm in civil matters on solemn affirmation; and

  • (d) may administer the oath or affirmation under paragraph (c).

  • R.S., c. I-13, s. 7.