This is the Special Committee on the Canadian Mission in Afghanistan, meeting number 15. We are following up a study on the Canadian mission in Afghanistan.
I would just like to briefly read you the motion that was passed by the committee. It was agreed that the committee invite the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of National Defence, and the Chief of the Defence Staff to appear on Wednesday, October 27, 2010, to speak to developments affecting the conduct of the Canadian mission in Afghanistan.
I would like to welcome to our committee today the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Lawrence Cannon; the Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Peter MacKay; and the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Walter Natynczyk.
Welcome, gentlemen.
Maybe I'll begin with Mr. Cannon. The committee has asked that opening statements not be too long. Normally we give you ten minutes, but if you could do it in less tim, we'd appreciate it, because there are a lot of questions by the committee. I'm sorry I couldn't get that message to you in advance.
Any time you're ready, you can go ahead.