Regarding access to information, the situation has improved over the last years. However, the documents the government considers to be cabinet documents are still the object of debate. Consequently, they were not accessible. For instance, all of the gender-based analyses that are carried out for various bills are not accessible because they were submitted to cabinet. That situation remains problematic. Access to information has improved to some extent, even if certain departments are a bit reluctant.
I should also mention that the act now contains a parliamentary recourse process. In other words, if the parliamentary budget officer feels that information should be provided to him that is not forthcoming, he can complain to the Speaker of the House of Commons and to the Speaker of the Senate. That parliamentary recourse existed five years ago when I arrived. The committee had authorized it and it is now included in the act. I have not had to use it up till now.