Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Victoria for his contributions today and his work over many years on the justice committee.
The Ethics Commissioner's investigation has significant powers to summon witnesses and require them to give evidence orally, in writing and under oath, and to produce documents. In this regard it has the same powers as a court of record in civil cases.
With respect to the medical leave of absence that the current commissioner is on, and subsection 44(7), as was previously cited, I will undertake to get back to the member on that important question. However, it should not impede the continuity of the investigation. It is not germane to the identity of one individual. The Ethics Commissioner's office is the one doing the investigation, and the Ethics Commissioner's office should be empowered to provide the report to the chamber if that is what the act stipulates.