Environment committee  I wasn't doing this job in 1993, but I think there are a lot of issues on the public record in terms of why the government and Parliament chose the option it did choose. I think there are a number of issues. It was placed in the Auditor General's office for one reason, because of

Environment committee  In relation to your question about the Auditor General's role as a protector versus being backward-looking in terms of the audit function, I would say it is consistent with the traditional model of agents of Parliament generally in Canada, as they actually focus on compliance wit

Environment committee  If you're talking about a policy advocate, I think that is one of the issues. There is a tension between policy advocacy and the audit function. I think the Auditor General dealt with that issue when she appeared before the committee recently, and so did the former Auditor Genera

Environment committee  Well, if there were a separate agent of Parliament, that individual would report directly to Parliament.

Environment committee  Well, I think what I said is that the office as a whole isn't in it from the executive. But the Auditor General does have the power to hire the commissioner, and she has responsibilities under the Public Service Employment Act with respect to that employee.

Environment committee  The government can take action in terms of management responsibility. That person does report to the Auditor General.

Environment committee  Good afternoon, Mr. Chair, and members of the committee. Good afternoon everyone. I would first like to introduce my colleague, Patrick Hill, who is the Director of Strategic Policy in the Machinery of Government Secretariat of the Privy Council Office. We are very pleased to