Thanks, Mr. Minister.
I should also thank Ms. Moritz, Mr. Knubley, Ms. Swan, and Mr. Mayers for being here.
This is just something that I usually point out when the minister and department staff are here:
The obligation of a witness to answer all questions put by the committee must be balanced against the role that public servants play in providing confidential advice to their Ministers. The role of the public servant has traditionally been viewed in relation to the implementation and administration of government policy, rather than the determination of what that policy should be. Consequently, public servants have been excused from commenting on the policy decisions made by the government.
I'll ask all of you to keep that in mind, and I know you will. We'll go with five-minute rounds.