Yes. Thanks, Chair.
The confidence that Canadians have in their democratic institutions is fundamental. We have independent officers of Parliament, whom Canadians trust to serve as independent arbiters of what happens with government. We have seen the important role the Ethics Commissioner has played since the creation of that office, and it added a level of accountability that wasn't there before, though I would argue that higher standards need to be applied.
We have standards that we have right now that need to be applied in a way so that Canadians are sure this is done in a manner that's beyond reproach, and that even the appearance of a conflict of interest is avoided in the appointment of the officer of Parliament, who's going to be discharging those duties and conducting investigations.
While I do hope we can dispense with this motion quickly with members of the committee having had it in their possession since Thursday of the week prior, I look to the committee. Hopefully, we can get to a vote, but perhaps you would like to take a moment to excuse the witnesses if this isn't going to come to a vote right away.