Public Accounts committee  First of all, I'd like to clarify one thing. The answer I gave a moment ago was not completely accurate. I did meet with Mr. Day this week; we did discuss the fact that I would be appearing. But we did not have discussions about what it is I would be testifying on.

Public Accounts committee  I'd be happy to do that, Mr. Chairman.

Public Accounts committee  I'm not sure I can answer that question.

Public Accounts committee  The minister, as I understand it, periodically sends e-mail to employees in all of the agencies within his portfolio.

Public Accounts committee  I expect I could do that. The only e-mail within my direct control, if I can use those words, is e-mail that has gone to members and employees of the RCMP. I know that the minister has sent e-mail to others. I'm aware of at least two or three occasions where e-mail went to the RC

Public Accounts committee  There has been no such e-mail since my appointment. I believe the last one was after the government announced my appointment but before its effective date.

Public Accounts committee  I may well be referred to as Bill by the minister, because the minister calls me Bill, as do all of my friends, relations, and co-workers.

Public Accounts committee  I'm independent of the minister. I report to Parliament through the minister.

Public Accounts committee  I'm not uncomfortable with being referred to as Bill. I might point out that Prime Minister Martin, Prime Minister Harper, and many other ministers with whom I served in a number of successive governments called me Bill. That is my name. And I'm not uncomfortable with Minister Da

Public Accounts committee  I'm not sure I can agree that calling someone by name is a cozy term, but to my knowledge, and in answer to your question, the individuals you indicated, other than Minister Day, have not sent out such e-mails.

Public Accounts committee  I am not perfectly bilingual, but I have achieved a certain level of ability in French.

Public Accounts committee  Let me clarify: my first language is English and when I want to be very precise, that is the language I prefer to use. I work in both languages, I speak to employees and colleagues in both languages.

Public Accounts committee  No.

Public Accounts committee  Thank you. I have several things to say in response. There are various models out there, but I think we need to have mechanisms and processes in place so people can come forward and bring information or make allegations without fear of retribution. We need to be able to have an

Public Accounts committee  I believe that the mandate of the External Review Committee has limitations with respect to the types of issues they can deal with. I think for a number of grievances I am, as commissioner, the final-level decision-maker. I guess the other thing I would say is that we have an o