Mr. Chair, those statements are inaccurate.
On professional services, we have actually saved approximately $800 million, and we instituted a number of reforms to ensure there is more discipline in the system related to contracting with third parties. I announced those last March. They include an updated manager's guide, a revised directive on conflict of interest, a horizontal audit and the development of a risk and compliance process.
All of those measures, in addition to reducing the government's reliance on third party contractors, must be taken into account. They certainly weren't reflected in the honourable member's questions.