I believe that there's more accountability required of the public service today than was the case in the period that was covered by our inquiry. There's no question about that. Whether that is due to the provisions of the Federal Accountability Act or to other factors is extremely difficult to know.
I am told, and I think it is generally the reputation here in Ottawa, that there is something called the “Gomery effect”—that makes me into an adjective, which I think is very peculiar, a funny feeling for me—which is sort of an attitude in the public service about being very careful about what you do. I think that's great, but as to whether that's because of the Accountability Act or just because people were profoundly embarrassed by what happened during our commission's hearings, I don't know what the reason is.
But I'll say it again to reassure you. I think the enactment of the Federal Accountability Act was a very positive step towards attaining a better degree of accountability in Canadian government.