Thank you, Mr. Chair.
It's very simple. The House—and I think the chair already spoke to this—needs to make the request in order for it to actually be assured of happening. Parliamentary committees exercise important authority, but it's delegated authority from the House.
The Auditor General has been clear in the past that if a committee asks for an audit, the answer is “Okay, maybe.” If a private citizen writes to the Auditor General and asks for an audit, the answer is “Okay, maybe.” If the House, collectively, asks for an audit, it means something different.
Look, this doesn't have to be a long, drawn-out process in the House. I would suggest that once this is reported, Mr. Bachrach, you or someone else seek the unanimous agreement of the House to deem it concurred in right away. I don't think anybody will have any excuse for saying no. Then it will be done.
My appeal would be that we send the request in so that the House can do it, and let's do it quickly and decisively. There's no need for debate, provided that this process works.