Senator Gold: I’m sorry, senator — and thank you for your question — but I don’t accept the premise. Mr. Barton appeared before a committee in the other house. I know the focus of much of the questioning from members of the opposition was to try to depict his relationship with the Prime Minister in terms that, as it turns out, are not at all correct. It’s unfortunate, as there are more important questions about how we can improve and what the right balance to be struck between our professional public service and consultants is going forward as the world changes, and as human resources are challenged.

I spent a fair bit of time yesterday providing answers to a large number of questions, both written and oral. I’ll continue to make my best efforts to get answers in a timely fashion.