In my opinion, we would be sending out a very negative message to Canadians if the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages were stripped of its independence and reduced to the status of being part of the office of the Auditor General. That's my personal opinion.
Mr. Williams, as Commissioner for the Environment in New Zealand, you serve five functions. You act as a guardian, an advocate, an auditor, an information provider and an adviser.
In a submission to the environment and sustainable development committee, Ms. Gélinas, the former Commissioner of the Environment, reminded us that in reality, the role of the Commissioner of the Environment was limited to conducting environmental audits. She compared that role to the functions of the Commissioner of Official Languages or those of the Privacy Commissioner which have investigative and advocacy components.
What emerges from this comparison is the realization that the Commissioner of the Environment has fewer powers.
In light of your myriad functions, Mr. Williams, and in spite of your role as a guardian and advocate, do you feel the office of Commissioner for the Environment in New Zealand has encroached on the political sphere?