Madam Speaker, I am shocked that the member opposite would suggest that these appointments were not merit based. My question is based on a couple of points.
The Minister of Science has 90 universities, over 200 colleges, and a budget of $10 billion. The Minister of International Development has a budget of $5 billion. Though the Conservatives may be shocked from the previous 10 years, it is an important part of our foreign policy.
Is this less authority? At what threshold do these ministers become important?