Thank you very much.
My apologies, Mr. Chair.
My apologies to the interpreters. I know they're doing an incredibly difficult job.
Professor Béland, the challenge I have with your theory of an arm's-length body is that “arm's length” is really another word for “unelected.”
Yes, democracy is messy, and politics is messy. I am the voice of Northumberland—Peterborough South. When we remove elected officials, which, granted, is politics.... But politics isn't all bad. Politics means bringing the voices of Cramahe and other small towns to Ottawa.
Excuse me if I'm a little bit skeptical of another bureaucratic body that at least contends to be an expert to tell the people of Alberta or British Columbia how much money they should or should not receive.
Can you understand my concern there? Is that legitimate at all?