Just briefly, Mr. Chair, thank you.
To respond to your question, I can say, as a former commissioner, that I never saw the problem that way. The minister delegates in an independent manner. I don't recall any particular report mentioning that there was a problem in this area.
This structure exists at other departments, under other functions, and with other rights granted by legislation, wherein various individuals are delegated a duty that is independent of the organizational and supervisory structure of a department. Based on my experience, ATIP coordinators would be the first people to express confidence in the system's capacity to serve the public, and they are able to carry out their duties with all the necessary latitude and in a completely forthright manner.
Accordingly, the suggestion made by the witness to whom you refer seems rather strange. In my view, the creation, by order in council, of all kinds of mini-commissioners throughout the system, with supposedly increased independence, within a departmental administrative structure, would be unhelpful in terms of continuity of service for Canadians.