Thanks very much, Mr. Chair.
I appreciate having the opportunity to speak to Madame Freeman's motion. I appreciate all the extra work that Madame Freeman has gone to. I know she has researched this. I know she has spoken many times with the law clerk and she is anxious to have us hear personally from him the things she has learned from him.
I know also that you have spoken with him, Mr. Chair, and you have a very good grasp of the issue and what legalities could be involved.
I think having the law clerk, Mr. Walsh, come before this committee is something that isn't necessary. We have the information that has been relayed to us by Madame Freeman and by you, Mr. Chair. We have also gone through a process that has been less than congenial around this table. We firmly believe in the ministerial responsibilities, and we know there have been many issues in the past where, in past governments, there have been activities regarding ministerial staff. Those issues have been talked about around this table before, during these hearings.
I think the time has come to move on. To have the law clerk here is not necessary. We've had the offer of the people here who can tell the story, can make the difference, and they are the ministers, who are totally responsible. The ministerial responsibility is to Parliament.
So I will not be supporting the motion from Madame Freeman, although I definitely do appreciate and congratulate her for all the hard work she has done on this.