Thank you for coming again.
My first question is directed to Mr. Prosper. You say that you're quite proud of some of the statements the commissioner made. But shortly thereafter he goes on to say: However, the Agency has been slow to implement systems for monitoring and reporting on ecological integrity. It has failed to meet many deadlines and targets, and information for decision making is often incomplete or has not been produced.
He gives examples, etc.
Then the next paragraph talks about your resources being decreased by 15%, that you're 23% down in your staff, and a third down on your scientists.
I'm not quite sure how these statements all live in the same universe, because it seems to me that the government has made it very difficult for you to achieve what you need to achieve.
Finally, the commissioner says at the end:The Agency could fall further behind in its efforts to maintaining or restore ecological integrity....
Your response is that you agree, and then you qualify your agreement.
Am I to assume that your budgetary challenges have led to the difficulties the commissioner has identified?