If I've understood correctly, you're talking about Mr. Toews and his officials. Is that right? It is, isn't it? So, goodbye Mr. Toews, and hello officials.
Mr. Chair, I'm going to oppose this amendment. When it comes to representing the government the buck stops with the president of Treasury Board. And if you want to assign a date to it, the political system has been that way since 1848. I'd be happy with Mr. Toews' coming along with his officials. In any event, ministers rarely come alone—I'm not saying that doesn't happen—but they come with support staff from their department, and that's not a problem. I really want Mr. Toews to appear. He's the minister, the elected representative, and the onus will be on him to explain to us why the government is redoing in the 40th Parliament what it undid in the 39th Parliament. The minister was in that position at the end of the previous Parliament and he's still there today—and he's the one who has to appear. His officials can be there to support him, but he needs to be the voice of the government. And that's why I am supporting Ms. Zarac's proposal. And it's also why I'm opposed to the amendment that was just brought forward.