Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for raising a question that is a big concern for all Canadians in regard to the use of crown corporation boards and refugee boards for Liberal patronage appointments and rewards for the government's Liberal friends.
The hon. member has asked for examples. Over time we have had numerous examples of people who have been on the EDC and the BDC. My colleague will remember the gentleman involved in the golf course in Grand-Mère, Mr. Carle, who was appointed to the BDC. He is the gentleman who was involved in APEC when he was in the Prime Minister's office. He was appointed to the BDC.
There are numerous examples of how people previously connected with the government have been tied to these boards.
Now I will say that maybe they were competent, maybe they had the expertise, but it is the openness of the situation that is the issue. Why is it not done in front of a parliamentary committee so that both the government and opposition people could vote, as is done in the U.S.? Then there would be excellent confidence in many of these people because they would come in front of a committee made up not only of Liberals but of members from both sides of the House. Questions could be asked. We could grill them. Maybe they do have the qualifications to be on those boards.
Doing this would give confidence and send the message that the people who are running these institutions have gone through a rigorous search program, as is done in many independent corporations. When independent corporations hire they do so through human resource companies to find the best individual. For us the best way to do this would be through a parliamentary committee. Hopefully the government will take that suggestion.