Senator Carignan: Part of sound human resource succession planning involves making sure that the pool or pyramid is larger at the bottom and that those individuals can move up through the ranks. It involves ensuring that there is a large enough pool of candidates who have the skills needed to carry out the duties.

How do you explain the fact that the pool is 30% francophone, but that only 19% of them are left at the top of the pyramid? Why does the government think that the francophone pool is less qualified?

Senator Carignan: Leader, the job of the Senate and of senators is not to provide sober second thought to measures introduced by public servants, but to properly study bills passed in the House of Commons and to ensure that regional interests, including minority interests, are respected and taken into account in the context of a thorough study. The Supreme Court’s ruling on the Senate in this regard is very clear. Why continue trying to have the Senate do the work of the House of Commons?