Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Johnson and Mr. Morton, I apologize for the questions I have to put to you. I have to put to you some fairly straight-shooting questions, and I need fairly quick answers.
I will say, as the official opposition critic, that I do not accept that the four eminent persons who attended the meeting in Bali should come to this committee and tell the committee that they're not in a position to tell us what they advised the minister. There is no pecuniary contractual relationship here. I have in front of me the letters of appointments, Dr. Johnson and Mr. Morton. There is no, as you say, payment. There is no lawyer-client or solicitor privilege. You're not public servants who are bound by the Public Service Act. I don't accept for a moment that you're not in a position to tell the Canadian public. This trip cost $45,000. That's $10,000 more than the average income in my home province of Ontario this year.
What I would like to know is, have you provided any written advice or have you been asked to provide a written report to the minister on the $45,000 it cost to have you participate in Bali?
This committee's job is to hold the government to account.