I understand that and we share your frustration because the first time we were asked to appear at this committee, the notice from the clerk of the committee asked for an official.
We go to many parliamentary committees when there is a request. If they say officials are invited to appear before the committee, then we send an assistant deputy minister, a director general, usually, or a deputy minister. Deputy ministers do not go to all the committees, so there was clearly some level of confusion between the request from the clerk and then the request from the committee itself. We apologize for that confusion.
I have made myself available for the last several weeks. I was ready to come. Unfortunately my colleague was not because he was with the minister. I am here today, ready and willing to answer your questions. I'd be happy to do so. If you choose to defer until before Easter, then we'll try to find a schedule that will work for him.