First of all, let me provide you with some reassurance. I've been a minister in a number of different governments. I think I understand my responsibility as a minister of this government, my responsibility to Canadians and Parliament, and in my role, I do—and my officials do—work closely with both the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces. However, I also understand my responsibility for holding them to account and for working very closely with a number of different officials—for example, our public complaints commissioner, the ombudsman and others—to ensure there is truly effective oversight representing the best interests of Canadians generally and certainly members of both the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces.
There is, I think, a question. It's a question of Parliament. We have an ombudsman for the military. I've met with him. I've also met most recently with the commissioner of complaints. We've talked about the importance of her work, and we have very good lines of communication.
I believe that our operations require independent oversight, governance and accountability, and that includes transparency. I believe very much in those principles. I've talked to officials who have those responsibilities within the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces to reinforce to them the importance of their work and my support for their work.
On the decision as to whether or not an ombudsman should report to the minister or to Parliament, that's a decision of Parliament. Quite frankly, I would respect the decision of Parliament, but my undertaking as the minister responsible for National Defence is to work as effectively as possible with the ombudsman to make sure that we fulfill our obligations, particularly to the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces but also to Canadians, and make sure we are as transparent as possible in doing that work.