This boils down to ministerial responsibility, a basic principle of Canadian democracy. We must preserve it.
The ministers are responsible for the money taken from taxpayers' pockets and for its management. I understand that some public servants may or may not be doing their jobs. I understand that some managers look the other way rather than deal with the issues. However, ultimately, the elected officials are responsible because they collect taxes from people in accordance with the laws and obligations.
When I see that four ministers have taken turns leading this key department, and that today, the Prime Minister's chief of staff, meaning Canada's second in command, and other seasoned ministers, including the minister responsible for trade with the United States, still play a major role in this government, I think to myself that we can't overlook this and blame public servants.
Let me remind you that a minister once lost her job over a $16 glass of orange juice. This case involves tens of millions of taxpayer dollars. You're telling me that nothing shows that the same thing hasn't happened in other places. Don't you think that the ministers have a responsibility?