Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I'd like to specifically refer to the second item of the amendment, which says that Mr. Esau and Mr. Koring appear before others; that the Information Commissioner appear first, and then those two witnesses.
I think there's sound reason for that. Mr. Esau may have written a number of articles, but the only one I can find is one he wrote way back on November 13, 2006, for the Ottawa Business Journal, which really has nothing to do with this. But he is referred to in Mr. Koring's column of April 26, where he says: At least two other complaints will be filed with the Information Commissioner. Jeff Esau, a journalist and researcher retained by The Globe and Mail, will complain that he was told in writing that “no such report on human rights performances in other countries exists.”
It's most appropriate that he come as a witness. However, he is here now, and it's most appropriate that we hear him. The only reason I can see why he's called is that he's referred to in two articles, one article of Mr. Koring's and a subsequent article.