National Defence committee  I think all GIC appointments have unique features and things that are unique to them. Obviously, the chief of the defence staff is a unique feature of our military architecture for reasons that are apparent, certainly to this committee. What I'm saying is, how you deal with a complaint about personal conduct in that context when you have the information that you have in this case and don't have any other information is, I think, what was done appropriately.

National Defence committee  Listen, I think the committee has heard all the evidence and you will form judgments, based on what you have heard about it, as to whether there were additional steps that could have been taken or done. If you do that, I hope that's constructive and helpful. In the absence of any additional information other than there was a complaint and the ombudsman chose to raise it with the minister, we acted on the assumption that we treat it as if it is very serious because we don't know what it is.

National Defence committee  Yes, certainly to the extent that I was made aware of what took place. People were doing their very best to have the information come out that would enable them to make sure it goes to the right place where it can be investigated, assessed and then actions can be taken in response to that.

National Defence committee  I'm going to defer on the question of the work of the committee to the committee itself. I have to think that when Canadians are reading the media articles and stories that are out there, what they want to know is how we are fixing it. The committee is in a great position to say that they've been looking at these issues in depth, they have heard from a bunch of people, they know the public debates out there about reforms, and they're going to propose some recommendations that can be taken up by the government.

National Defence committee  Thank you, all, very much.