Government Operations committee  Well, I'd just like to know what their attitude is.

Government Operations committee  I have no reason to believe that the present government does not sincerely wish the well-being of the country.

Government Operations committee  I just think that there were a number of issues that have not really been addressed. If the government considers these issues and comes to the conclusion that these would not be its policy, for whatever reasons, I would be satisfied with that. I don't pretend to dictate to the government what its policy should be.

Government Operations committee  Thank you, sir.

Government Operations committee  I think it contains 160 provisions, as well.

Government Operations committee  Well, I don't think I'll answer that question directly, because I've tried to remain non-political, and it is not my intention to attack any particular political party or to endorse the program of any particular Liberal Party. I prefer to think of the Government of Canada as representing the public interest and to direct my comments to that.

Government Operations committee  Thank you, sir.

Government Operations committee  I think that was an excellent initiative, and I think I indicated it is a fine piece of legislation, as far as it goes.

Government Operations committee  That's the trouble with newspaper reports. I never said to anybody that my feelings were hurt.

Government Operations committee  I said I was disappointed. I find it difficult to swallow, but I have to tell you, I'm very serene about this. My feelings aren't hurt. I don't want to venture into the area of political motivations, except that it seemed to me obvious that when the Federal Accountability Act was presented, it was politically impossible for the Liberal Party to vote against it, considering what I had said about what had happened in the sponsorship scandal.

Government Operations committee  If you'll permit me, I'd like to make a comment: my feelings aren't hurt.

Government Operations committee  I discovered, during the round table discussions that we held throughout Canada, that the place that I admire the most with regard to the appointment of deputy ministers is the province of Alberta. This is why I mentioned that province in my report as a model to be followed. I do not mean to say that this model should necessarily be followed to the letter, but there should at least be some process so as to allow qualified candidates to apply for these positions, instead of letting the Prime Minister decide on all of that.

Government Operations committee  That is not the subject of any specific recommendation in my report. However, I discussed reforms proposed at the time in view of changes to the Access to Information Act. If I remember correctly, the party that is presently in power had intended to be a transparent government. The desire was to be transparent and I had hoped that the changes suggested at the time by Mr.

Government Operations committee  It is a region we greatly admire.

Government Operations committee  As I indicated, it is not a response, because the bill had been drafted way before the tabling of my report. One cannot answer a question that is yet to be put. However, this Act deals with several of the problems that I underscored in my report and my recommendations, and it is, thus far, an excellent piece of legislation.