Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
I was present in question period today, and I was just reviewing the blues from today's comments by the minister. It is quite clear that she does impugn some motive to opposition parties.
It does bring some credibility challenges to the reports of the Auditor General, and I think that's very reasonable. I also think the government and many of my Liberal colleagues who are present here today also understand that it's important we uphold the independence and integrity of the Office of the Auditor General. It's important that we continue to maintain that support for its independence.
Today, whether it was a government member or an opposition member—I'm certain that all members of this place would agree that whoever it came from—something that would disparage the independence of an Auditor General should be met with a verification by all parties present. It's all members, but I feel that we, in particular, as members of the public accounts committee, are most equipped, when dealing directly with the work of the Auditor General, to move this motion. I think it is important that Canadians actually see that, because what they saw today was something that I think demonstrates a harm to the Office of the Auditor General's independence.
I agree with the motion and with my colleagues from the Bloc Québécois and from the Conservative benches that we can find room here to enhance our position that the Auditor General's office is in fact independent and can serve its role to ensure that our processes and our programs are done correctly.
I disagree that opposition parties have in any way, shape or form motivated the Auditor General to say the things she did. I disagree with the statement made today in the House of Commons on that. I think it's important that our committee recognize the fact that we work with the Auditor General almost every single day in this committee. It's important for us to recognize that she does have a role and her independence is part of that. Verifying that independence is something I believe all of us agree with.
That's what we're doing here: We're verifying the independence.
That's my contribution. Thanks.