I don't know if I can answer the first question, but I can answer the second. Yes, we do have research staff.
The lady and the gentleman to my right work for the public accounts committee. Prior to every meeting they do probably a five- or six-page briefing note on the performance report, and they prepare suggested questions. Then after the hearing they will do up a draft report. After the hearing we've had here today they will take all the questions and answers, which are all transcribed, and do a draft report. That comes back to the committee, and the committee will change it and adopt it. The committee will usually spend at least one and a half hours on each report. Then it becomes the committee's report. So we do have research staff.
To question the effectiveness of the committee, that's for others to determine or adjudicate upon. I speak with a certain amount of bias, but I think it's a reasonably effective committee. But again, others can decide that. I think it's a very important and fundamental role of Parliament to hold the government to account. The whole area of post-expenditure accountability is the role of the public accounts committee.
As I say, we couldn't do it without the work of the Auditor General. But again, that office needs us to be the interface between that office and Parliament, and through Parliament to the Canadian people. I think we perform a very vital function in Canada. Others may disagree.
Madame.