I don't think it would be an understatement to talk about a crisis in the access to information system today. I think there are so many Canadians who are frustrated, whether it be journalists trying to get information...and when they do get information, it seems like ministerial confidentiality or cabinet confidentiality is used in an excessive way.
So I'm not surprised to hear that you're getting more cases of complaints, and I wouldn't be surprised if the amount of those complaints increased exponentially in the last few years, which makes it even more illogical to be cutting your office. It seems that you would need more. I also point out that you've been reduced a little bit more than some of the others, which is of concern to me, in certain areas, which seem particularly strategic.
I have a question related to political interference in the access to information system. Recently we saw that this occurred; there are some staff who got involved, and it puts you in a particularly difficult situation. We think that it's completely unacceptable.
Now, is the fact that you're getting less funding do you think associated to this kind of willingness to kind of pull the rug from under the access to information system—basically cut its legs at the kneecaps?