Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you for coming, colonel.
I do not want to play politics, but I think that you are, to a degree, sir. I have trouble when you say that the ombudsman should answer to the minister. Do not forget that the minister is not always the same person. Is the ombudsman going to change every time the minister does? The government has changed three times recently. So there is a complete turnover, ministers, deputy ministers, etc. It does not change quickly, but everyone changes.
Regardless of the government in power, it wants to work with people who agree with it and with its goals. The ombudsman could be named by Parliament for a period of six years. The Speaker of the House of Commons is elected by absolute majority and is accountable to all members of Parliament, but, like the ombudsman, he cannot be ousted overnight. If the ombudsman answers to the minister, I think that there could be some kind of conflict of interest.
I would like to hear your opinion in this regard.