Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, colleagues, on both sides of the House here for their comments and I appreciate the Member bringing this forward for discussion and debate. I think there have been good points made on both sides and, ultimately, it really does depend on performance of the Minister and the department with respect to how well the intent, as the summary states, to fill vacant positions is actually accomplished. I think there have been some arguments made for having flexibility. I think really what we’re dealing with here is a matter of trust and the lack of trust, especially when it comes to legal stuff and the law. The law is a pretty flat, sort of, unemotional thing, and has to be, but it doesn’t always give direction on intent and can be used. Some of the arguments were vacuous, I think. No vacant positions and should get rid of vacant positions and stuff like this.

I think committee has certainly been very concerned about the direct appointments and the overuse of direct appointments. I think that’s clear, and I hope the Minister has heard that loud and clear. To me, what’s needed here, whichever way this falls, is some serious commitment from the Minister to monitor the situation, for committee to ensure that the Minister monitors the situation and reports back on the use of this tool so that we can have a basis when we go forward with the review to make any corrections needed. On that basis, I’ll be abstaining.