Senator Plett: Well, as you know, Senator Harder, I was speaking today on the inquiry that the RCMP is too large of an organization, in your words. I don’t think they are too large of an organization. I relayed a number of ways that I feel that the RCMP could maybe expand their own mandate without us necessarily getting rid of the RCMP.

Senator Plett: I will answer with a smile as opposed to what the government leader does when he answers my questions. No, that is not, in fact, what I am doing. I’m not withdrawing anything I said nor am I suggesting that we have a separate police force to do that. I am saying the RCMP is quite capable of doing both of these jobs. They are quite capable of walking and chewing gum at the same time. I think that their mandate could be expanded to do exactly what I just said.

Senator Harder: I think once is entirely adequate, but I just find it a little incongruous to say we shouldn’t look at any machinery of government changes, and yet you propose an American-style border patrol, which would, of course, intrude on the existing RCMP mandate. I would suggest that you reflect on what further changes you would see to federal policing.

Senator Harder: Thank you very much for your intervention. I wish I had unlimited time as well. Let me first thank you for your contribution. I would like you to expand, though, if you would, on your suggestion that we have a separate entity to police the border with respect to at least the intrusion into our nation of guns or other illegal substances. Are you suggesting that the federal policing role of the RCMP be hived out?