Thank you, Madam Chair.
For my part, I agree with Mr. Kramp that this is a sad situation. Yes, it is really sad. The minister, who was president of Treasury Board at that time, made an unfortunate decision and that leaves a bad impression. However, I believe that the minister should have been aware. He is surrounded by people who, in theory, advise him and help him carry out his departmental responsibilities.
I think that the minister showed complete disrespect for the city, which is a separate entity. He was not careful, nor was he transparent. He spoke out during a municipal election campaign. If it was an error in judgment, we could forgive him because he is young and he was a newly appointed minister, but we cannot extend that to his staff. The new council had approved light rail. Moreover, there was a condition under which the project would go forward if the new council approved it. This is a sad situation and it leaves an unfortunate impression.
The city has a right to municipal independence. In Quebec, we really insist on our independence, precisely so that we will not find ourselves stuck in a process like the one the City of Ottawa is unfortunately currently embroiled in. We tell ourselves that if we are dealing with only one level of government, we will be able to come to an agreement, but that would not be possible if there are two. Having said that, I think that the minister simply engaged in petty politics at a time when there was a municipal election. I find that unfortunate for the people of Ottawa. But it is crystal clear: the minister is responsible and he should not have done what he did.