Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
It is not a surprise to me at all that the government has asked to dismiss the witness because of the embarrassment of this entire scandal—$54 million for an application, $11 million paid to two individuals working in their basements—and the consistent mismanagement we have seen from this government. Of course they're going to do their best to shut it down at every single step of the way. Of course they are going to have their coalition partner, the NDP, help them shut down this investigation every single step of the way, including having Mr. Lafleur here today, Mr. Chair. This is not at all a surprise to me.
As well, I worry very much about the precedent we are setting in this committee, Mr. Chair. We previously had the—