Chair, the only other similar situation that I can recall that deals with an issue like this, where a topic is potentially before two committees.... I served on government operations and public accounts committees. The issue went back to the contracting out of real estate, sales promotions, and everything like that. This issue came before both the government operations and public accounts committees, and it was dealt with at both committees, but not at the same time. It was dealt with at committee subsequent to an investigation by the government operations committee.
After that, the Auditor General went in, did a more thorough investigation, and reported the findings of that investigation. That report was made public. At that point, the public accounts committee then deemed it to be worthy of further investigation, and it came before us at public accounts.
For us to move forward with the government operations committee doing this and us doing it at the same time.... I would like you to explain to the taxpayer why we were simply doubling up and trying to get bang for the buck on that. To me, it just doesn't make any sense. Time and place: if the time is right and the place is right, then by all means let's do it.