Okay. We don't want to entertain any debate. In fact, no further action need be taken on this, up to and including my ruling as to whether it's in order. But I have allowed you an opportunity to place it. That notice of motion is now before us, and we'll deal with that going forward.
If there are no other further interjections then, I will move us to the main purpose of our meeting today. Hearing none, I will assume that I have the support of the committee to move forward.
Therefore, may I first of all welcome Mr. Michael Ferguson, who is the nominee for the position of Auditor General of Canada. Welcome to our committee, sir.
I did have a chance to have a couple of words with you ahead of time.
I want to let the committee members know that I expressed to Mr. Ferguson that while questioning may indeed be tense and tough from time to time, there are lines of fairness. If he's concerned those lines are being crossed, he can raise them as a concern with me, or he may look to me to get an indication of whether or not he has to comply with what's been put forward or whether he needs to continue in that particular vein. I just want to make sure that Mr. Ferguson understands that it's not the whole world against him here, and that he has rights too as a citizen. I wanted to say that publicly so if colleagues had any concerns about the way I was going to approach this, you can raise them with me now.
Hearing none, Mr. Ferguson, again, welcome, sir. I know you have opening comments, and I will turn the floor over to you to make those comments. You now have the floor, sir.