The woman whose job it is to safeguard Canada's freedom of information laws has been dinged for failing to disclose information to the ethics watchdog.

In a notice posted Monday, Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner Mario Dion reported that his office has fined Information Commissioner Caroline Maynard $250 for failing to disclose "a material change relating to assets" within 30 days.

Under the Conflict of Interest Act, reporting public office holders are required to submit a confidential report describing their assets, liabilities and income. If that changes, "reporting public office holders have 30 days in which to file a report," said spokesperson Alison Zinni in an email.

"Failure to do so may result in an administrative monetary penalty of up to $500."

Dion's office said Maynard paid the fine in full.

<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EthicsCommissioner?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EthicsCommissioner</a> Mario Dion has issued an administrative monetary penalty of $250 to Caroline Maynard, Information Commissioner, for failure to disclose within 30 days a material change relating to assets: <a href="https://t.co/1MDdDqLgFK">https://t.co/1MDdDqLgFK</a> —@CIEC_CCIE

In an email to CBC News Maynard said she takes her "responsibilities as a reporting public office holder very seriously" and explained the details behind her fine.

"Specifically, this related to the purchase of RRSPs in the amount of approximately $5,000," she said. "When this was brought to my attention, I acknowledged the mistake and addressed the matter immediately. I have also taken steps with my financial advisor to ensure this does not happen again."

Maynard, a member of the Québec bar, took over the job in March 2018. Before that she was a government lawyer for more than 20 years.

When he first nominated her, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Maynard "has a deep appreciation of the need for an open and transparent government."