Good afternoon, everyone.
This is meeting 64 of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security on Wednesday, December 5, 2012.
I will remind each of you that today the meeting is televised. Please turn your cellphones to the silent mode or turn them off. I'll start by making sure that the chair's phone doesn't go off, after making the request that you shut yours off.
We are considering supplementary estimates (B) 2012-13, votes 1b, 5b, 10b, 45b, 50b, and 55b under Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.
As our witness today, we have Canada's Minister of Public Safety and National Security, the Honourable Vic Toews. He is accompanied by his officials.
From the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, we have François Guimont, deputy minister. Welcome.
From the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, we have Commissioner Bob Paulson. Welcome back.
From the Canada Border Services Agency, we have Luc Portelance, president.
From the Correctional Service of Canada, we have Commissioner Don Head. Welcome.
From the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, we have Richard Fadden, director.
We also have the National Parole Board represented by its chairperson, Harvey Cenaiko. Welcome.
Our committee thanks the minister and his officials for making themselves available to answer questions from members of Parliament related to the supplementary estimates. Canadians know that the minister and his officials have appeared numerous times before our committee and have always been helpful in our deliberations.
I would encourage all members to keep their questions specific to the supplementary estimates. Certainly we want to keep them in the context of what we're here to study today.
Mr. Minister, I know your time is limited. Because of the votes we've been held back a little bit, and I understand you have to leave at 4:30.
We would love to first hear your address and then open it up to members for questions.