Thank you very much, Chair.
Mr. Johnson, I want to follow up on what I believe is the most important role for parliamentarians at this time. I hope you can indulge me with attempting to empathize with the role that parliamentarians are in when we're seeing this tremendously concerning situation across the country that puts into doubt the credibility of our institutions. That's a real fact. Whether it's true or not, the perception is damaging.
In order for us to clear the air and in order for us to have true trust in these institutions, I believe that a public inquiry under the public inquiries act is important. It would provide for an independent commission that would have the powers that your organization—although it could establish one—wouldn't have, which are the power to subpoena, second documents and do the very things that are contemplated in the public inquiries act. It's why we have a public inquiries act.
If organizations are able to just “independently” audit themselves, the perception doesn't go away. You're going to be back here next year if that happens. Trust me. It's going to be continuous. It's just going to go on and on until we have true trust in the process.
The outcome is important, but the process is equally important as well, which is why I do appreciate your attempt to involve the Auditor General. Of course, that wasn't going to be case. She said she wasn't able to do that. I made a motion here to have the CRA do that. The reality with the CRA is that they have to undergo their own processes. It's up to them as to whether or not they audit that, but it's a recommendation I have and it's the recommendation of this committee.
A public inquiry, I think, would go a long way to restoring not only the public faith that we have in our institutions, but also even in your institution. Wouldn't you agree?