Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I agree with what Mr. Kramp and Mr. D'Amours said. We cannot let this situation drag on. Since December, we have been trying to shed light on this matter. Ms. Ouimet has had plenty of time to come and explain herself.
The longer we wait, the more speculation will surround this issue. We cannot question Ms. Ouimet. The purpose of this committee was to give her the opportunity to respond to the Auditor General's report. I believe that we should continue in the direction in which we have started, namely to get her to appear before the committee. A little earlier, the clerk explained to us the powers of this committee.
I have many questions. Amongst others, why did Ms. Ouimet treat her employees the way she did? What was the work climate like in her organization? Over the years, why did no other organization raise issues as far as the Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada was concerned?
Is the fact that she is not here today an indication in and of itself that there was definite abuse which might lead to criminal prosecution?
A little earlier, I was at the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates. The committee just finished studying the possible repercussions regarding a contract which was violated and the false interpretation of certain provisions in various contracts.
What the Auditor General's report seems to indicate, regarding the cases which were reopened, is that they involved situations where financial rules were not respected. This is something serious which the Standing Committee on Public Accounts cannot ignore.