Let me say something, Mr. LeBlanc, and you can take this back to your deputy and you can take it back to the Clerk of the Privy Council. As you know, this department has been before the public accounts committee on numerous occasions over the last number of years, and a lot of the reports have been unsatisfactory. One of the main issues has been--and it's been very clear--that there's been absolutely no continuity in the role of deputy minister. We have a situation where Shirley Serafini was appointed deputy June 1, 1999. She lasted 23 or 24 months; she was replaced by Marc Lafrenière on June 11, 2001. He lasted 14 months. He was replaced by Alain Jolicoeur in August 2002. He lasted 16 months, then Mr. Horgan was appointed.
We had this discussion with Mr. Horgan: the importance of, as the Auditor General says, the sustained management attention. This was a recommendation from the committee on that specific report. That recommendation was followed by Mr. Justice Gomery in his report to the government. When we made the recommendation to the government, they responded that it was none of our business. I think it was report number 10--no, that's the wrong number.
Obviously the present government isn't paying much attention either, because about a week ago they replaced Mr. Horgan. Now we have this situation: we've asked the present deputy to be here, and he has said to us he's got a more important meeting.
I really find that offensive, and Mr. LeBlanc, you can take that message back to your superiors. Really, that is an affront to Parliament and to all Canadians. I'm sorry to speak in strong language, but that is my view.
Mr. Christopherson.