Government Operations Committee on March 21st, 2017

[The Chair, Conservative, Tom Lukiwski]

Please give a very brief answer if you can, Mr. Conacher.

[Duff Conacher]

I believe it would be difficult to see that happen with the current commissioner unless that commissioner would be required to commission a fully independent audit, not only of the commissioner's office but of how every department is dealing with whistle-blower protection.

It is something that hasn't been done since the first commissioner was audited, and it's long overdue. There should be an independent audit of the entire system by the Auditor General at least every three years, with the results, of course, made public.

[The Chair, Conservative, Tom Lukiwski]

Thank you very much.

To all of our witnesses, your testimony here has been instructive and extremely informative.

Mr. Garrett, just on a personal note, probably no words of mine could ever express the sorrow I have for the situation you've endured over the number of years you've been fighting this battle. I can only hope that the final report and recommendations from this committee will go in some small measure, and hopefully a large measure, to redressing the situation that you've experienced. Hopefully no other employee that has either worked for the government or has done work on behalf of the government will have to experience what you experienced.

Thank you all for being here.

Colleagues, I think we should go in camera for just a few moments. My reading of this is that, based on the testimony we've been hearing over the last number of days, there may be additional witnesses who committee members would like to recommend we hear from as we continue this study. I know Mr. Weir has indicated he has some, and I think, Monsieur, you may have some as well.

I will excuse our witnesses and suspend for just a couple of minutes, and we'll go in camera for about five minutes.

[Proceedings continue in camera]