On a point of order, Mr. Chair, one thing that I don't understand is the mechanics. I'm totally in favour of this motion, but the mechanics of having the Senate invite a conflict of interest, my understanding is that the archaic system in which we live and breathe in Parliament means that we have to kowtow to the Senate in order for the Senate to approve asking the conflict of interest officer to appear in front of a parliamentary committee.
Is my understanding of the process correct? They are appointed by the Prime Minister, so there is some recognition that a parliamentarian who is at the head of our government appoints them, yet we have to go begging for them to come to a parliamentary committee. Is this a correct understanding of the process?
It seems to me ridiculous in this day and age that we would have to summon a completely undemocratic institution like the Senate and they can decide whether or not they're going to appear.
Is there not something we can do to force them to be here to answer questions that Canadians want answers to?