I think it's important for a number of reasons, certainly in the context of the separation of powers. Well, we don't have a perfect separation of powers. We have the executive that is sitting in the legislative branch. As was previously discussed, we have the executive appointing in the judicial branch. From a standpoint of each branch of government, each branch of Parliament being able to function with the necessary autonomy, this is of fundamental importance.
Certainly in the role of a parliamentary officer, it needs to be very clear where the loyalty is and where the mandate is. That is particularly true in the context of a law clerk, who is also a lawyer providing legal advice.
It is important. You may receive legal input from a lawyer from the government, but the law clerk's office is there to provide advice to the institution and to you, as members.
For that reason, it is important that we be, and be seen to be, separate and distinct from the executive. And indeed, we are.