I have been the environment and sustainable development commissioner for two and a half years. After I finish my reply, I will give the floor to Mr. John Affleck since he has worked with these organizations much more than I have.
No one likes to be audited by the auditor general or the commissioner. Departments do not like us coming onto to their premises to see if they have done what the are supposed to do. There are, however, a number of ways of reacting to an audit by the auditor general or the commissioner. For example, officials can think that, since they are managing a large organization, they cannot be aware of everything that happens in it. Or a deputy minister of an important department can be grateful that the auditor general or commissioner has audited a small part of the department's operations and made recommendations. The deputy minister can also show openness and look at the audit as a way of learning something.
From what I have heard, this is not what happened with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. According to Mr. Affleck, it was quite difficult to work with this organization. I would say that the commission was aggressive with the auditors.
My last report covers three audits. To guide you on these matters, I would invite you to look at the Fisheries and Oceans Canada audit. You will see how the department responded to our recommendations. You can compare the response of Fisheries and Oceans Canada to that of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada showed openness. If an organization is audited by the auditor general, I would say the best reaction is to agree and say they will do everything they are told because these audits are important and serious.
If you look at the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission's response, you will see there is a kind of code. It says it agrees with our findings, but that it will continue on as before and that it is doing everything correctly.
Since French is my second language, I hope I have been clear. I think your question is very important.
I will now give the floor to Mr. Affleck.
John, can you add to that?