I call the meeting to order.
This is the 18th meeting of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy, and Ethics. Our orders of the day are with regard to Access to Information Act reform.
This afternoon we have appearing with us the Honourable Rob Nicholson, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. He will be with us for the first hour. He has with him some departmental officials, whom he will introduce, and they will be staying with us for the balance of our meeting, until 5:30 p.m., at which time we also have one other minor item to deal with, if we can, before we adjourn for the day.
Without further ado, I would like to welcome the minister and thank him for coming before the committee to assist us in our review of the Access to Information Act and possible reforms. I understand, Minister, that you have some brief opening remarks, and then we'll get right on to the questions from the members.
Please proceed, Minister.