Thank you, Mr. White.
I want to remind committee members that Mr. White is appearing under Standing Order 108(2), which isn't a review of an appointment, but as a committee we're looking at the operations and management of the Canadian Wheat Board as it applies to our responsibility as a committee.
Also, I'll reference page 864, under chapter 20 of "Committees”, in Marleau and Montpetit:
...public servants have been excused from commenting on the policy decisions made by the government. In addition, committees will ordinarily accept the reasons that a public servant gives for declining to answer a specific question or series of questions which involve the giving of a legal opinion, or which may be perceived as a conflict with the witness’ responsibility to the Minister, or which is outside of their own area of responsibility or which might affect business transactions.
I simply wanted to remind everyone of that.
With that, Mr. Easter, I think we'll go with five-minute rounds so we can get in as many people as possible in our one hour with Mr. White. You have the floor.