I remember in the past when I was there.... When they conduct an investigation, if they're not happy with the answers they get and they want to get to the basics and understand what's happening in the department or institution, they can subpoena the person to appear before the commissioner. They can ask them on the record what's happening in their ministry. Then they can understand.
I think the role of the commissioner is to show what's happening and help the department do better. That information is then put in an annual report and a special report to you, and then you can take action. Without that information from the commissioner, you know there's a problem but you don't know why there's a problem.