Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Minister, for your level of professionalism, and thank you to your officials as well.
Minister, for the past hour, all the colleagues have been focusing on getting an understanding of the policies and the scope of the work done by the Treasury Board, which is under your leadership. We've talked about the safeguards. We've talked about outsourcing. We've talked about the strategic direction that the government has taken.
A number of colleagues have talked about how the outsourcing has increased. They're referring back to 2011 and 2022. I had an opportunity to look at these numbers, and I'd like to share what I see. I'd like to have your official thoughts on it.
I see that between 2011 to probably 2013, some of the cuts and austerity measures were starting, especially around essential services, with the previous government. Around 2013 and 2014, the previous government was getting ready for an election. They had hoped for a balanced budget. That didn't happen.
Between 2016 and probably 2019, I see our government coming in with transformative years around some of the policies, specifically around digital government. This is something that was the mandate of the Treasury Board. During 2020 to 2022, we had to change our role from a transformative role into a more supportive one. If you look at some of the cuts to the civil service during the years of 2011 to 2015, this is very much indicative of the austerity measures that the previous government brought in.
You've explained everything, but I believe one thing we could get some insight on is this: What changed between 2011 and 2020 that required that type of resourcing supplement from external consultants?