Thank you, Madam Chair.
Mr. Baird, I want to make sure I understand that your officials have to report the numbers only when they receive invoices, after projects have been approved. I have a few comments to make about that.
People, whether parliamentarians or the general public, do not necessarily know the numbers because they are waiting for data from the provinces and the municipalities. You must have received some applications. If you could share some of the numbers, that might give the public and parliamentarians an idea of what this all means.
On October 9, the Public Service Commission released the results of its audit. It found that in the 45 appointment files it reviewed, essential qualifications were not respected when it came to hiring. In the framework of this economic stimulus plan, additional staff were hired who did not have the qualifications stipulated in the Public Service Employment Act.
Given that this stimulus plan was put together quite quickly, how can you expect us to trust the numbers you are giving us? Furthermore, these numbers give you a lot of political mileage, whereas we do not even have the numbers and cannot give you any feedback on them. For now, you can tell the public whatever you want. We cannot even verify what you are saying.
Thank you, Mr. Baird.
Thank you, Madam Chair.