I am pleased to talk about sustainable development strategies. Very seldom do I get asked questions on this subject. In fact, I am not responsible for compelling departments to table a strategic plan. This is a provision of the Auditor General Act as amended. This Act gives me the duty to undertake audits but it compels at the same time almost all departments, with very few exceptions that are not worth mentioning, and federal agencies to produce sustainable development strategies.
The first wave of strategies has been tabled, if my memory is correct, in 1997. Those strategies, one for each department, must be reviewed and updated every three years. These strategies are tabled in the House of Commons.
As far as what we call the fourth generation strategies are concerned, we expect them by the end of 2006. This has nothing to do with which government is in power, it is an obligation of departments, set out in the Act, to table those strategies.
I take the opportunity to mention that I would be pleased to come and discuss with you in 2007 the content of these strategies, which unfortunately have not all received the attention they deserve.