Mr. Long, thank you for your kind words. I always strive to make a useful contribution for the people that we members represent. In this case, it's an urgent situation.
I understand the amendment, but I totally disagree and I will explain why.
While Service Canada officials play an important role in answering questions, the fact remains that the bureaucratic apparatus serves the politicians, and the accountability lies with the politicians. I feel our two ministers have a responsibility to govern. They need to be heard and we need to be able to ask them questions
I see no reason why we should call officials before calling ministers. I don't think I've ever seen that done. Of course, the officials are welcome. When we call the ministers, the officials are always there too. That's how we have always done things.
In my opinion, we would normally call the ministers and have the officials attend as well. After the ministers have appeared, we can have some time with the officials, of course.
Some aspects are political. As parliamentarians, we must be accountable for this situation in our own constituency offices, and this has to do with the ministers. I feel they are well placed to give us the straight goods and answer our questions on the directives given to officials on how to deal with this situation. That's what we expect, anyway.
So I totally disagree with the amendment. I don't object to the officials appearing, it's the idea that they appear before the ministers.