My office is in the process of clearing the facts with the entities involved in our professional services contract. It is a lengthy one. There are 10 departments and 10 Crown corporations included in that. Our goal is to have that tabled very soon, before Parliament rises for the summer break, so that Parliament has the opportunity to hold some hearings on it.
What are my views on using external consultants? At times, they are needed. At times, there should be a bigger challenge to it. For example, my office will use a professional service contract to supplement when we have a peak and don't have staff to do all the audit work we might need to, or we might use a professional service contract to get expertise—such as actuarial expertise—when we don't have enough work to keep someone busy 365 days a year.
At times, it makes sense. At other times, I think bigger scrutiny is needed on the use of contractors.