I would now, colleagues, call the meeting to order and welcome everyone here.
This meeting of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics has been called pursuant to the Standing Orders.
The first witness here today is Mr. Nigel Wright, who is the chief of staff designate to the Office of the Prime Minister.
Before we start, and perhaps even before we hear from Mr. Wright, I just want to make a few opening comments about the nature of the hearing and hopefully this will serve as a framework for questions from committee members.
As I indicated, the witness before the committee is Mr. Nigel Wright, who is the chief of staff designate. He is accompanied by Mr. Joe Wild, the assistant secretary to the cabinet, who's here to answer any technical questions that may arise. As is well reported by now, Mr. Wright is from the private sector. He comes from a large, well-established Canadian firm with interests in many sectors, not only across the country, but from across the economic spectrum. It's also been reported that Mr. Wright may, after serving at a certain time with the Office of the Prime Minister, return to that company.
I want to remind all members that this inquiry is not, and the chair will not allow it to become, an inquiry into Mr. Wright's qualifications for that position. That determination has been made by others and it's not within the mandate of this particular committee. Any questions in that regard will be ruled out of order by the chair. It is my suggestion that the inquiry be restricted as to how Mr. Wright, the Office of the Prime Minister, the Government of Canada, and the Privy Council propose to deal with any real, perceived, or apparent conflict of interest. Mr. Wright has kindly provided this committee with documentation as to his arrangements with the government and which arrangements were completed with the assistance of the ethics commissioner.
Again, I would urge members to restrict their questions to those particular issues. Having made those very brief comments, I will turn the floor over to Mr. Wright.
Again, Mr. Wright and Mr. Wild, welcome to both of you to this committee.
You have an opening statement, I understand, Mr. Wright. The floor is now yours.