Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I would like to return to Mr. Drapeau.
It seems that you may not be fundamentally opposed to the order-making model. Perhaps your primary concern is, rather, that other things should be addressed before such a model is adopted. As Mr. Erskine-Smith noted, this model would reverse the burden of proof, placing it instead on the government. If these quasi-judicial powers were granted to the commissioner, they would enable her to order the publication of certain documents. It would then be up to the government to appeal the decision and to defend confidentiality in the case of exceptions and exclusions.
Reversing the burden of proof in this way might be a good way to reduce turnaround times. Although it would take time to evaluate all the facts on both sides before releasing documents, the fact that the commissioner could order their publication could improve matters. If the committee or the government were to recommend this course of action, additional resources should, in my opinion, also be provided.
If the order-making model were adopted, would you agree that additional resources should be provided to support it, along with a clear mandate, instead of requiring the affected institutions to cover the costs themselves, for instance, by making changes to their expenses or internal operations?