Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Minister, for being with us this evening.
Your mandate letter commits you to delivering results and effective government to Canadians. On October 22, as you announced, the last commissioner was finally appointed for the inquiry into the mass murder in Nova Scotia. That was almost seven months ago. The families have asked for the inquiry terms of reference to examine and report on the processes and the reasons for the delay in announcing and starting the public inquiry.
Last week I asked you in question period about honouring that request from the families, but you dismissed it and said it was for “political advantage”. I want to give you the opportunity to either clarify those remarks or just answer why it is you think that request from the families is something related to political advantage.