Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
I want to thank you as well for being with us today.
We've been doing this study for a few weeks, and we've had many witnesses make similar observations to those you have made here today, recognizing that some of these processes have been in place for over a century, and studies have been undertaken and recommendations have been made, but not too many changes have resulted.
I want to go back to some of the comments that were made after my colleague asked questions about democracy. You noted that this has been an issue since 1867. I guess it's about partisanship. I'm going to ask you to comment a little on that.
A former Liberal member of Parliament, Mr. Joe Jordan, testified to this committee. I believe he was parliamentary secretary to the President of the Treasury Board for a time. Mr. Jordan made the following comment. I want to quote it and then perhaps get both of your thoughts on the issue of partisanship.
The estimates and supply process is a terrible, partisan mechanism for trying to embarrass the government, but it could be a very useful mechanism if MPs saw it as a way to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of government operations.
I'd like you to comment on that. Do you think there are ways we can make this process less partisan, more efficient, and more effective?