If I may be permitted by you, Chair, I have a very brief statement. It's just an observation, but I think an important one.
This committee, unlike any other committee, absolutely fails to function, in my opinion, when we're partisan. I think most members have been on this committee long enough now and have had enough broad exposure that they would agree that the hard part of this job is to stay away from the partisanship and try to stay with the facts, the analysis, and good governance.
It's been fairly easy for the government members so far because all the reports we've been getting were the previous government's. The proof in the pudding is always when it starts to be an analysis of their own government. That's where it gets difficult.
I just want to say that I have all along felt—this is my fifth Parliament in terms of being on this committee—that this is by far the best committee in terms of working as a team. I want to point to, underscore, and thank the government members who have made it very clear, through Madam Mendès making it very clear, that on the first time there was a little bit of a push between the work we have to do here and their allegiance to their government—the partisan part of it—they stand four-square behind us, where we all stand four-square behind you, Auditor General, to ensure the legislation that says you get access to the information you want is backed up by us. It couldn't happen with just the Conservatives and me. It had to include the government members.
Chair, in addition to the great job you're doing, I wanted to thank the government members and point that out to them, because it's going to get tougher. It's going to get tougher, and for those of us who know how tough it is, every now and then we need to be giving you that credibility, because it's a great service to Canadians that you give. Believe me: there are going to be times when you're going to piss off people in leadership in your party and you're going to feel that pressure. Yet to be here consistently and to say, no, if it's the Auditor General's work, that's my priority when I'm on this committee, and the oversight that we do is the priority, deserves to be congratulated, underscored, and even celebrated. It comes best from those of us who are in the opposition benches, so I want to say to my colleagues, thank you for living up to the commitment you've made. You continue to make this the best public accounts committee that I've had the honour to serve on.
Thank you, Chair.