Mr. Chairman, I'm not satisfied with the response I'm getting from the Minister. I was glad that my colleague from Deh Cho asked for this investigation into these allegations. They are serious allegations, as the Minister indicates. I would rather an independent committee from outside the system undertake this review. That's what we asked for. Maybe a committee of three. People who are knowledgeable. This is not a committee. In the statement the Minister made this afternoon, she did not mention a committee. I was appalled, Mr. Chairman, by the actions of the Minister.
This isn't an independent committee, it's an investigator. On top of that, Mr. Chairman, I have concerns about the investigator who the Minister has retained. It is my understanding that the investigator who is being retained by the department to do this work has a standing offer with the department. So, how could this independent investigator be impartial when he has a standing offer with the Department of Social Services? I can't see this person she appointed being impartial. How can you consider someone who takes on a number of projects for the department to be impartial, when he works on an ongoing basis? There, again, I don't see any impartiality with the person who is being appointed.
The information I have indicates that the person who is being appointed has ties, a close relationship, with the department. I have concerns about that. I would like to hear the comments of the Minister before I continue, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.