Madam Chair, with the greatest of respect, I know the committee has the ability to compel other levels of staff members, but customarily committees really should be getting representation of the department from the senior levels of the department. If the committee is interested in understanding the dynamic of the regional delivery programs and so on, a higher level of the department should be able to report on that as well. We shouldn't be going on a fishing expedition here, particularly for those employees.
We have seen some of the feedback from previous such committee meetings, when more junior staff members are hauled before a standing committee of the House of Commons. This can be a very difficult experience. And really, unless there's a very specific and compelling reason, I believe the senior departmental people should be able to answer the questions to committee on behalf of the whole department.
