We agreed that they would be there for just a minute or two.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(g) and a motion adopted by the committee on Thursday, December 9, 2010 regarding the report of the Auditor General of Canada on the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada, we have appearing before us today Ms. Christiane Ouimet.
She is the former commissioner, Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada.
By agreement of the committee, she is accompanied at the table by her counsel, Mr. Whitehall, but Mr. Whitehall is not a witness and is not going to be answering any questions. Madame Ouimet may consult with him as she feels the need to do so, but he is not answering any questions.
Secondly, I remind all colleagues around the table that the witnesses enjoy the same immunities that we would enjoy in Parliament. I think both Madame Ouimet and Mr. Whitehall understand what that means. There are no legal consequences to what Madame Ouimet may say.
Madame Ouimet, since the Auditor General delivered a rather harsh report in respect of the Public Sector Integrity Commission last December, Canadians have been waiting for about three and a half months to hear your side of the story. Please start.