I want to go on the record about this, and, again, this isn't about impugning somebody who has clearly worked in this department for quite some time. I can't fathom a scenario where the commissioner would have to recuse themselves for the purpose of a perceived conflict of interest. I think that fundamentally erodes the faith in the institutions that we should be restoring.
I have a hard time believing that, in this population of ours, we couldn't find another person who.... Regardless of whether there's a conflict of interest or not, if there is a perception of a conflict of interest in the public's eyes, that's a problem.
I just don't understand why this government proceeds to continue these own goals, these self-owns. I would hope that, through the course of this study.... Not only that, but to put pressure on the person who has been appointed with an asterisk beside them for the entirety of their term is also not fair.
I would hope that the government or perhaps the commissioner would come to a more practical solution on this particular matter, which is why I will be supporting this motion. I think it's a completely unnecessary thing to do at this point in time when our democracy is fragile and there's cynicism out there. I will be supporting this.
Thank you.