Our goal is to have an impartial public service. We conducted a study in order to identify how many individuals had used this priority of appointment. The number is not very high: approximately 25 to 40 individuals per year at most.
The ministers' offices provided this information. We believe that these individuals have a good understanding of what the ministers do. People were hired when there was a change in government, for example 12 years ago, and, more recently, when the leadership of the Liberal Party changed. We are not talking about a large number of people. Rather, it is a question of perception.
This issue falls under the purview of the commission, which ensures that everyone hired in the public service has the necessary qualifications.