Mr. Chairman, first, let me thank the hon. member for his kind words. I hope he and I and all other members of the House can work constructively to ensure that in the future some of the problems we are discussing tonight are avoided and that we can refer someone else's estimates to the committee of the whole so other ministers can enjoy this exciting phenomenon.
I would have to apply one caveat. In any matters that have been referred to police authorities,at this stage no charges have been laid and no findings have been concluded. We need to be careful when arriving at conclusions before police investigations, and in some cases before they have even been launched, have arrived at a result. In deference to the legal process, we need to be careful about that.
On the point about the arguments that need to be mustered about how best to change the administrative process, I will certainly be looking at a whole range of models for how we might do this in future. I would welcome the input of members of the House of Commons either individually or perhaps through the new committee on government operations and the estimates. That might be an appropriate vehicle. Let me just say that my door is open. If anyone has a good idea on how to do this better, I would be more than happy to have all the advice I can get.