Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I have equal sentiments--perhaps not quite as vociferous as Mr. Christopherson, but the emotions are much the same. This government, as you know, has moved to entrench in legislation that deputy ministers are accountable before Parliament. When Bill C-2 passes, that is their legal obligation.
Therefore, I would move, Mr. Chair, that you write to the Clerk of the Privy Council explaining to him our dissatisfaction that a meeting with another bureaucrat is more important than coming before Parliament. Expecting and pointing out that Bill C-2 requires that deputy ministers be responsible before Parliament, we expect them to live up to that commitment.