Perhaps the bill is clear in your mind, but it's far from being clear to us. You're asking this person to provide the work plan to two people who have political affiliations. That's what bothers me.
Previously, the Parliamentary Budget Officer was independent. Although we didn't always talk about it, we, the Conservatives, were the ones who appointed him. He was completely independent. When it was time to get in, the remarks were quite blunt. That's the way it is with the independence of an officer of Parliament. The position is supposed to be apolitical.
Without realizing it, you are now asking him to become politicized, even though he doesn't want to be. This is unacceptable.
This isn't what Canadians have asked for or what we want. We want independent agents who can do their jobs and give us the right information without political affiliation.
You talked about what happens during an election campaign. I apologize, but Elections Canada is already doing that work. If I have any questions, Elections Canada is here to answer. During the election period, we are no longer in Parliament. Certainly, we are still members of Parliament, but we are outside running a race to get elected.
I can't see why an officer of Parliament would become a political agent during this period. That's what I find disturbing. You have shuffled all these ideas together without distinguishing between someone who is really in politics and someone who is not. Unintentionally, you are binding his hands, because the speakers of both chambers have a political affiliation.