We can call our meeting to order.
I'd like to welcome Ms. Moritz, Ms. Aylard, Mr. Foster, and Mr. Meredith.
Thanks very much for coming in today.
Before we start, I want to remind the committee that we need five minutes at the end of the meeting to deal with a couple of housekeeping motions.
I also want to read for you a section in chapter 20: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'm also going to remind members that while you spar with each other from time to time, that's acceptable, but if comments are brought in that were made by somebody not here or not participating in this meeting, I will be ruling you out of order and it will cease.
With that, I'm going to turn it over--
Mr. Easter?