Thank you, Mr. Chair, and welcome, Mr. Minister, to the committee.
Of course, we're examining Bill C-60, which is another omnibus budget bill that affects about 50 different pieces of legislation. We've seen sections of this bill carved out and sent to other committees, although it will all come back here and we'll be voting on it—without having had the opportunity to hear witnesses' testimony or ask questions.
I want to ask you questions about two specific areas. First of all, part 3, division 17, gives the Treasury Board sweeping powers to unilaterally set the terms and conditions of employment for non-union workers and to impose a bargaining mandate on employees with a union. I'd like you to explain how allowing politicians to directly set wages and hours and perhaps even terminate employees is consistent with the independence of these crown corporations.
I just want to give you a couple of examples. Suppose a Bank of Canada economist publishes a research paper critical of the government's fiscal policy and the Treasury Board decides they want to cut that person's salary. Or suppose a CBC journalist publishes a story on the Senate scandal and the Treasury Board orders a reduction of that person's hours. These are scenarios that seem to be consistent with part 3, division 17.
I'm wondering if you can comment on the appropriateness of politicians making these decisions for independent crown corporations.