First of all, the ombudsman does report directly to the minister. That is quite clear in the order in council.
Issues related to human resources and executives are actually the responsibility of the deputy minister.
So it's clear that the ombudsman can make any recommendations he wishes.
I think we're going through a little bit of a learning experience for both of us, on the side of the ombudsman and on the side of the department. This is the first time we've had an ombudsman. We don't have the many years of experience that our colleagues at DND have. I think, at the end of the day, things will be fine, because we do keep talking to one another, our staff keep working together, and issues are going into the ombudsman's office. As we sit here this afternoon, there's ongoing work between the office of the ombudsman and the staff of the department, and as we move forward, we'll iron out these concerns. But I think it's fair to say that it's part of the role of the ombudsman, in my view, to push the envelope, and I think it's good that there be a healthy, workable tension between the department and the office of the ombudsman so that at the end of the day Canada's veterans will get the best possible service we can give them.