Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from Winnipeg North for the question and the direction of the question.
I think it is very important that the relationship between the civil service and the government be maintained. It is integral as part of its core function. Canada's civil service is held in the highest regard internationally for its impartial nature, its professionalism, and its excellence. When our civil servants interact with each other here in Canada or abroad, they are really seen as being of the highest quality.
The accountability is from the civil service to the government, and the government is accountable in the House of Commons. Those are the proper lines of accountability. They are the ones that have been in place. They are the ones that were followed here. They are the ones that, in my view, are entirely appropriate.