Thank you.
I want to note that we are here on the estimates. I appreciate that we've turned it into a grand inquisition. I'll try to go back to that frame.
This past January, your office concluded the systemic investigation into Library and Archives Canada's delayed responses to access requests. You found that almost 80% of the requests completed by Library and Archives did not comply with the time frames as set out in the act.
Your report provided several recommendations to the Minister of Canadian Heritage. However, in your evaluation of the minister's response you said:
The Minister’s response fails to address or identify strategies to tackle the accumulated backlog. Rather, the response prioritizes requests categorized as urgent or those related to class action lawsuits first.
The Minister’s response does not convince me that he has an understanding of the critical situation at LAC and I continue to urge the Minister to ensure that the backlog is dealt with in the most efficient way possible.
You talked about:
Developing streamlined work processes, innovative approaches, setting timelines and goals...one would expect to be considered and implemented by LAC and the Minister.
That's quite a statement and, I think, indicative of the overall malaise. Can you further elaborate on these concerns and whether anything has occurred to change your opinion?