I call the meeting to order.
This is meeting number 12 of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics. Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(h)(vi), this is our study on allegations of interference in access to information requests, and more specifically on the motion by Mr. Easter that the committee conduct a study regarding allegations of systemic political interference by ministers' offices to block, delay, or obstruct the release of information to the public regarding the operations of government departments, and that the committee call before it the witnesses we had announced earlier.
Appearing before us today is the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. Welcome, Minister. We appreciate your taking the time to come and assist us with examining the order before us right now.
I understand you have an opening statement to make, and I invite you to make that now.