Citizenship and Immigration committee  As I said, there were family considerations. After 42 years in the federal government I wanted to do something different. I wanted to take four or five months off and then start my own company. I don't know what I'm going to do in September. I certainly won't stop working, by the way.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  No. I'm saying that with the new regime they're going to put in place, with a new chair, there may be a confidence level that more appointments will follow. I don't know.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  You're going to have to ask the minister.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  It's not a matter of confidence. I'm not saying what you're trying to do. I'm saying that my decision to leave the government at this time was a combination of many factors. I had to look at what was good for my boys. To me, my staying was not good for my boys at this stage.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Have you ever tried to quantify a gut feeling?

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Well, I don't conclude that.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I have a good comfort level. Very much. By the way, I saw my doctor this morning ,and my high blood pressure is lower than it was two years ago.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  My wife was very happy for me to leave. She helped draft the letter. No, it's not the 42 years; it's about having a sense sometimes—how much more value-added could I be? And that's why I was a bit reticent to come here. I didn't see myself as being value-added today. I had given my testimonies to you previously.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Well, there's always timing in everything. Let me talk about the Harrison report from one dimension. I was consulted throughout. Mr. Harrison and his team—I opened the door. They came and observed hearings in Toronto. They saw all our files. Mr. Harrison always kept me informed of where he was with the report, although the client was the minister.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I'm not trying to go around—

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Well, partly, in the sense that when the minister said she agreed with everything that was in the Harrison report and they were going in that direction, I couldn't see myself being the one implementing that, in fairness to the government.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Well, we talked about it.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I've said what I had to say on that. But let me just point out that it's a combination of factors. It wasn't only Mr. Harrison's report; it's a combination of factors. On March 16, I still did not have the appointments I needed, and this had been going on for some time. What more could I do?

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Under Minister Solberg I conducted a competition for vice-president, and Mr. Goodman was the successful candidate as vice-president. He's an outstanding individual. He had been in tribunal work, public service in Ontario work, and he was doing extremely well. So in terms of the interim, I recommended to the minister that Mr.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I didn't know about that. Are you quoting from a statement?