Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question. It gives me an opportunity to say that the world does not stay frozen in time and neither does this government.
Perhaps the hon. member wants to suggest there are no new and emerging needs where this or any government needs the wise advice of Canadians who bring special knowledge, special skills, special expertise and wisdom to the operations and the programs of the federal government. Or, where it makes sense, to open up new ways in which we can be advised and counselled by Canadians who are capable of keeping us informed and aware of broader issues than those we may address in this House. We welcome their contribution to the future of this country. At the same time we do not want to continue carrying out functions and making appointments simply for the sake of making appointments.
As I have said, we have a multi-stage process for getting rid of appointments which are no longer serving a purpose and agencies which no longer make a valuable or important contribution to the essential work of this government.