I partly agree with you, but there's a minor problem. In 1994, in the Standing Committee on the Environment, we had a lengthy debate as to whether we should create an independent environment commissioner position or a commissioner position that would report to the Office of the Auditor General. We weren't rushed, as we are today, so we heard a number of witnesses. We came to the conclusion that, even if the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, whose position was created in 1994 or 1995, if my memory serves me, worked in close cooperation with the Auditor General, fears about his independence could be allayed in view of the rigour of her work. So we wound up with a common office and common expertise, rather than create another authority.
That was 12 years ago. Since then, I believe the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development has demonstrated his independence, even though his office is located in that of the Auditor General. Until quite recently, that is until January 23, that's also what was believed by the Conservatives, who included transparent budgeting in the same paragraph, on page 11 of their election platform, as strengthening the powers of the Auditor General.
If the Minister of Finance tells me he would prefer that someone from the Library of Parliament supervise him, that's fine. The Minister of Finance has been making completely wrong budgetary estimates for 50 years. So I'm not sure we'll achieve the desired objective if we allow that position to be where it is. We'll see what happens over time. In any case, the Act will be reviewed every five years.
Our objective is to ensure that budgetary estimates are as accurate as possible. I hope they will be. I think they will be more so if this position reports to the Auditor General, who has demonstrated her credibility.