Mr. Rob Wright:

I did not see a lot of written advice. I did not see contrarian views that were not pursued. Nor did I see the notion that these views were being squelched. There has been a broader range of evidence of a gap that is sometimes evident between working-level expertise and decision makers. I was very sensitive to it. It affected some of the management role advice.

Finance in Canada is quite unique in terms of institutions and I know people have left it. When I get briefed on an area, the working-level person is in the room. When there is a crisis and I am getting ready to brief a Minister, the working-level person is in the room when we decide what is our advice to the Minister. None of those working-level people in Canada is reluctant to tell me when I am wrong, which is an essential attribute. If a person is in that position, he or she is a mile wide and an inch deep. If somebody is giving the Minister for Finance some advice, he will act on it, so that person wants to be sure the people most in tune with the expertise are giving the correct information. That is not the level of engagement at the working level that existed four years ago; these people should work together.

I am happy to hear contrarian views and the current Secretary General would be happy to hear such views. They would be discussed, and it might be the wrong view. They should engage on it.