Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you for being with us today, Mr. Franks. It's a change to meet someone from the university, who has no direct link to the political aspect of the bill, but who is interested in its impact.
There are a number of topics. You talked about ministers and deputy ministers. Deputy ministers are very often appointed for a much longer period than ministers. Ministers depend on elections and the Prime Minister, who gives them ministerial responsibility for a year or two, at most. They are responsible for their department, but the deputy ministers are often in place for much longer periods of time, because their positions are considered apolitical, and they have much more work experience in a particular department. When you are appointed minister, you are responsible for your department and you are accountable. If there's every a scandal, of course, you're responsible for it. That's my opinion.
Some groups talked a lot about confidentiality. They have a lot of fears about the confidentiality of their clientele's information. How do you perceive that? The bill could have an impact in this area, when they have to keep their clients' information confidential. Then there's the entire matter of the $1,000 reward for a whistleblower. Our party is opposed to that. A whistleblower should make an honest disclosure because it is his or her duty to do so, not for money.
I'd like to hear your opinion on those two questions.