First of all, thank you everyone for being here.
My question is for all the witnesses. I will try to be as brief as possible.
Several people have come before this committee to speak to us about the importance of the role of coordinators, given that they manage most ATI requests. For example, Professor Drapeau, of the University of Ottawa, opined that ATIP coordinators should have more independence. He feels they should perhaps be appointed by the Governor in Council and therefore report directly to the minister, who would have ultimate responsibility.
Other witnesses have expressed reservations about this process but agree that coordinators should have as much independence as possible.
I would like to hear your views on that. Could you describe the position of coordinators within your institutions' hierarchies, state whether coordinators should have more independence in the performance of their duties, and describe, concretely, how this might be brought about?
The floor is yours.
Maybe you'll go from left to right, or from right to left.