Thank you very much, Mr. Christopherson.
Before we go to Mr. McGuinty, I just want to clarify a last remark. I don't want to leave any misunderstanding out there.
This committee does go in camera frequently, mostly to discuss committee reports and committee business. Any time we're hearing witnesses, it's extremely unlikely and highly unusual for us to go in camera. We have in the past. Perhaps in hindsight, it probably wasn't the thing to do. It's something that has happened, I believe, once or twice in the last seven years that I've been on the committee. So it's not something we would do in the committee.
But I have a question, Mr. Day, and I just want to get your thoughts on it. I guess it's something I wrestle with, and I don't know if I have any clear answers.
You are the responsible minister for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and in addition to that, you have a lot of other agencies dealing with national security. You have a very large and important portfolio. The protocol that has been followed for a long time now is that there is an arm's-length relationship between you and the law enforcement agencies. That has perhaps worked well, but when you see things get off the rails—and we've seen that in the Maher Arar inquiry, and we've seen it in this particular instance.... This tradition has been with us a long time and perhaps has served us well, but perhaps it's something we should review.
You have a lot of agencies under your responsibility. Do you have any thoughts on this going forward?