To the new members of the committee, I do want to welcome you, and I think it's going to be a very interesting committee.
If anyone's been following the developments of the committee over the last 24 months, you'll know we've gone through a very challenging and interesting time. Certainly with the sponsorship inquiry and some of the other inquiries we did, it was very interesting. I believe we're in a period of transition. For those of you who are not aware, a lot of the recommendations that arose out of the Gomery commission actually came from this committee. The ones that I consider to be the three or four most important ones came about as a result of this committee, and we didn't spend $82 million doing it. Anyway, that's the long and the short of it.
I would refer the members of the committee to the recommendations of the Gomery report dealing specifically with the public accounts committee, especially those urging the government to give this committee more resources. The second recommendation is that the people appointed to this committee serve for the life of the Parliament. I forget the third one, but it's all there in the Gomery report, colleagues. I think it's important that we look at it and follow up so that we do get a response from the government on these particular recommendations.
Again, a lot of the recommendations that follow from Gomery are actually included in the Accountability Act that is now before Parliament. I'd urge the newer committee members to read the previous reports of this committee, especially the last two or three we wrote regarding the accountability in government and the accountability of deputy ministers and the government's response.
I've been on the committee for five and a half years, and I've enjoyed it immensely. I've learned a lot in the committee. On certain occasions during the sponsorship hearings, the issue of partisanship did arise, but by and large there has always been a non-partisan spirit in the committee, and that's when it works the best. Most of our reports--and I think it's all but one or two over the last five and a half years--have been unanimous reports, including the last two reports, which we did a lot of work on.
There are a couple of other housekeeping matters I want to point out. It happens by total coincidence that the annual meeting of the Canadian Council of Public Accounts Committees that revolves from province to province each year is being held in Charlottetown this September. I believe the dates are between September 10 and 12. I invite every member of the committee to attend that, and I'll certainly host you when you get there. I think it will be very enjoyable.
That concludes my remarks. Again, I think you're going to enjoy it, and I hope we all do what we're supposed to do. I certainly will do my very best. If I don't, I have Mr. Williams watching over my shoulder.
I'm glad, John, that you're on the committee. I think you'll add a lot to it.
Go ahead, please, Mr. Williams.