Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Welcome to the House of Commons, Mr. Fréchette and welcome to your senior advisors.
We are very pleased to have you here. The institution of the PBO plays a fundamental role for us. It is a precious gem that we must protect and enhance even further.
We are very proud to say that it is our political party that was so bold as to create this institution, something that bears mentioning. I say “bold” because the role of the PBO is to analyze the actions of the government in power.
In a previous life and in another legislative assembly, the National Assembly, my colleagues from the second opposition party and I suggested that the position of parliamentary budget officer be created, based on the experience of the House of Commons. My departmental colleagues said at the time that they did not want anyone looking at their work. That is exactly what your role is, and you do it very well. We want to preserve this institution.
There is something that is really bothering us. Two weeks ago, the Minister of Finance introduced the omnibus bill, Bill C-44, which includes division 7 of part 4. I would point out in passing that the government had promised not to introduce omnibus bills.