Good morning, sir.
I don't know what to call you this morning. Should I call you colonel, sir or special advisor? I won't call you ombudsman yet.
You're no doubt aware of the fact that this committee, of which I am a proud member, has worked very hard to prepare a report on the office you now occupy. It was a unanimous report that my friends on the other side of the table supported. In that report, we mentioned that the very great majority of ombudsmen, including the ombudsman of Ontario, André Marin, and those who did not come and testify but about whom I was able to read information, were appointed under an act of Parliament. Those ombudsmen report to Parliament, unlike you, because, pursuant to paragraph 127.1(1)(c) of the Public Service Employment Act, you were appointed as the minister's special advisor. If we don't go any further into your appointment... Your staff reports to the department.
May I conclude—and I'd like to have your comments on this point—that you are the political representative and that you are also a member of the staff reporting to the deputy minister of Foreign Affairs? With all this ambiguity, how can one simultaneously serve the minister, veterans and the department? That's the problem that you will have to solve over the next three years, because I believe you've been appointed for three years, if I correctly understood the information. Over the next three years, I hope you'll be able to pay special attention to veterans.
I would like to hear your comments.