Bill C-2 (39th Parliament, 1st Session) committee  I do agree with it. My only reservation would be with how far down in the organization you go. I think the really important priorities in appointments are at the board level; they should be at the board level. There's a further element in the governance of our crown corporations, at least, and that is that the chief executive officer should be appointed by and answerable to the board.

Bill C-2 (39th Parliament, 1st Session) committee  I'm not sure there is one model. The British Columbia government made a really fine attempt to try to make sense out of the appointments process and created a position within the premier's office that was responsible for gathering biographical data, identifying individuals, classifying the requirements for particular jobs, and criteria.

Bill C-2 (39th Parliament, 1st Session) committee  I'm coming right to the end, sir. We need to be able to give donors an absolute assurance of confidentiality, and not one that is contingent upon a third party agreeing that the donation should not be disclosed. In conclusion, we are pleased with the manner in which the draft legislation has provided us with some protection for information related to both artists and donors; we are also very pleased that it has opened up access to information generally, and are very supportive of that fact.

Bill C-2 (39th Parliament, 1st Session) committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As I'm sure all of you know, the NAC was set up in 1969 to provide a federal agency that would compete at world-class levels in the performing arts of music, dance, and English and French theatre. At the time, it was consciously structured, as a crown corporation, to be at arm's length from government.