Government Operations committee  I guess the short answer to that is that it doesn't change in any substantive way the responsibility of the minister. The minister is still responsible.

Government Operations committee  Absolutely. We believe it's important for the deputies to also be responsible, and that's why they were designated as the accounting officers. In terms of ministerial responsibility, nothing has changed. What exactly ministerial responsibility involves is another question. I know we had pretty extensive discussion on that during some of the discussions prior to the last election.

Government Operations committee  And I'm sure if I don't you'll tell me.

Government Operations committee  Thank you very much. I'm here with the Treasury Board Secretary, Mr. Wayne Wouters, and Mr. Charles-Antoine St-Jean. Both of them are here to assist me in answering your questions. I intend to make a brief presentation and then answer any questions that any members may have, Madam Chair.

Government Operations committee  Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm happy to appear before your committee for the first time as the President of the Treasury Board. I have with me, as I indicated, Mr. Wayne Wouters. I didn't indicate the title of Mr. St-Jean. Of course, he's the Comptroller General of Canada. Today I'd like to update the committee on the activities of the secretariat in four areas: the implementation of the Federal Accountability Act and action plan, the expenditure management system, the accrual budgeting issue, and large IT projects.