Thanks very much, Mr. Chair.
I just want to say more accountability and transparency is extraordinarily important, particularly at this time during this pandemic when we're spending an exorbitant amount of money in a very short period of time during an unprecedented period.
I wonder though to what end is this motion and to what purpose. There is already someone highly qualified looking into the Me To We decision with respect to the Canada student service grant program. We have Mr. Dion, our Ethics Commissioner. He is a 40-year, seasoned, outstanding independent public servant who has agreed to do an investigation that will no doubt do a complete full accounting of the matter. I just wonder what this motion will add, other than duplication.
Given the fact that we have so many big issues in front of us for our bureaucrats to focus on, is this really how we want to be using their time? I just want mention.... I was a little fearful of mentioning this point because it always gives the perception of “Well, you're trying to cover up something. Do you not want more transparency?”, which is the furthest thing from the case. Absolutely, accountability and transparency on everything that we do has to be paramount. In terms of this motion, though, I wonder. It entails a huge amount of data gathering in a short period of time and to what end? Essentially the motion is huge data gathering exercise by August 8.
Those are my comments and thoughts for the moment.