Public Accounts committee  I can do it in 20 seconds, Mr. Chair. I don't have a great deal to add. I had a hand in writing that letter. I am aware of that letter the Auditor General sent. I believe it's quite clear. As Mr. Ralston has indicated, if the government decides not to proceed with audited depart

Public Accounts committee  Perhaps I'll start on this, Mr. Chairman, and Mr. Ralston can add. The issue of the use of temporary help agencies by the government has come up a couple of times in today's discussion. It has also come up in other discussions that the office has had with other members and membe

Public Accounts committee  With respect to the Auditor General's opinion on the government summary financial statements, in my opinion it would be correct to characterize it as a clean audit. It is an audit without qualification, and therefore it is properly characterized as a clean audit. As with any aud

Public Accounts committee  Page 1.16. It's a 10-year comparative statement on the government's operating scheme.

Public Accounts committee  There are many dozens of votes in the public accounts of Canada where Parliament has authorized departments to spend up to a certain amount—operating votes, capital votes, grants and contribution votes. Many of those votes aren't fully used and funds lapse. If the committee wish

Public Accounts committee  Thank you for the question, Mr. Chair. It gives me an opportunity to clarify once again. The Auditor General's opinion and observations on the Public Accounts of Canada relate to the summary financial statements of the Government of Canada. We did not audit all three volumes of

Public Accounts committee  The short answer, Mr. Chairman, is no.

Public Accounts committee  No, Mr. Chairman.

Public Accounts committee  Perhaps I could use this as an opportunity to refer the member to section 1 of volume 1 of the Public Accounts, which includes a 10-year comparative table of all the government's revenues and expenses. This goes back to my earlier comment. I think the government has done a good j

Public Accounts committee  Perhaps I'll start, Mr. Chairman, and then perhaps the Comptroller General should comment. I believe it would be fair to say, Mr. Chairman, that the Auditor General shares the member's frustration. We believe this is the way to go and have been so indicating, which is why we kee

Public Accounts committee  Some of the expenses exceeded premiums collected.

Public Accounts committee  Well, the premium rate has—

Public Accounts committee  The premium rates have been reduced. I don't have the numbers here, but—

Public Accounts committee  Yes, Mr. Chairman, it would be correct to characterize these as employer and employee premiums.

Public Accounts committee  That is correct. It's an accumulation of premiums collected, minus benefits paid, plus interest paid on the balance in the EI account. Previously, there was interest paid on the balance of that account as well.