We will continue in the same vein, because these questions are interesting. I was also surprised to find that your contract as an ombudsman had not been renewed. Basically, I was not overly astonished because the list of recriminations that you made regarding some files could, I believe, have made the government in power uncomfortable. I am thinking of all the issues that you raised, for instance when you intervened so that something be done about the endless delays in the processing of applications and your comments about patients who are refused help because of lack of evidence. I am convinced of this because in other files—I am not going to talk about democracy and peace—it was observed that when someone criticizes the government in a system where that is the very same government does the hiring, this government must be very open to accept such criticism and apply it constructively to build a better future with programs that need to be implemented or services that should be delivered to veterans.
Thus, we were surprised because you were very enthusiastic about your work, but others were not, because your criticism—and I am fairly certain of what I am saying—your criticism has cost you the renewal of your mandate.
I discussed things with a colleague who was there when Mr. Mayes was there, and he told me that the Bloc, at the time, wanted the ombudsman to be accountable to Parliament and not to the government or to the minister. I would go even further and I would say that an ombudsman's office should be an independent organization, independent from the government, hired by Parliament, in order to be truly able to play its role.
My fear is that after your departure the next ombudsman will have to, if he or she wants to keep the job, not be too critical of the Veterans Charter or of the services that are not being delivered. He should not challenge too many things because that could cost him the renewal of his mandate. That is what I am concerned about as a parliamentarian.
I would like to hear what you have to say about this.