From an independence standpoint, if you're talking about.... I just want to make sure I'm answering your question properly.
When it comes to one-time funding, what is my concern around independence?
There's something called the Venice principles. Those are the governing principles for the operation of ombuds' offices. One of the principles, number 21, speaks to how “Sufficient and independent budgetary resources shall be secured”.
Currently, being independent is a challenge of resources. If I'm asked to do a review that I don't currently have the budget for, I need to go to the minister and ask for those financial resources. It gives the minister a decision point that I would argue impedes our independence. If he should determine that no resources will be provided, but we have determined that reasonable grounds exist to launch the review, it's a bit of an awkward situation.
Now, the statute indicates that we must launch a review, but I do not have the resources to do so. It puts the minister in an awkward position as well.