Thank you for the question.
We're not wedded to the notion of an ombudsman per se. I think what we're recommending is that there needs to be an office of independent authority and independent powers. It could be along the lines of what you heard from Mr. Boulakia as well. I think he called it a citizens' advocate commission. I've heard it described in a number of ways--the office of the commissioner for Canadians detained abroad.
I think what we're looking for is someone or an office that has some authority, independent of the Department of Foreign Affairs, independent of consular affairs, because of the concerns you've heard from all of us about the ways in which other kinds of considerations, different strategies that other ministries may have with respect to a particular case, or even concerns about the ways in which other foreign policy considerations may interfere with government action on a case.
It's necessary that there be an independent body to whom individuals and/or their families can turn to enforce what you're hearing from all of us about the importance of recognizing this notion. Whether the charter does or does not adequately protect it already, I guess, is a debate, but a body that would be charged with enforcing this notion that there is a right to obtain meaningful consular assistance when you find yourself in this situation, and a duty on the part of the government to provide it, and that such a body would be imbued with powers to make sure that happens....