I have always taken the opportunity to come before this committee at the earliest opportunity to answer any questions. I've always been extremely open. In fact, with a number of the opposition members, I'm even open to answering their questions on a personal basis. I've been extremely open from day one, when I became minister. I actually wrote a letter to all members of Parliament saying, please, if you have any ideas on where we can improve defence, then I'm open to it. Let's take the politics out of defence.
In this case, I'm here to speak on behalf of my staff. Staff should not be coming here. They're not accountable to Parliament for the department; ministers are. I'm here to answer your questions.