Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Commissioner Shepherd and Mr. Leblanc, thank you for joining us today. As always, it is a pleasure to have you here with us.
I would just like to start with a short preamble. Today, we are looking at the main estimates, and what concerns your organization is the issue of lobbyists' registration. There has actually been an increase from last year. There has been an increase in education, research and internal services. However, this little document, as interesting as it may be, does not really say much. But this other document is trying to say something.
Actually, we are surprised when we look at the overall situation of your offices and people who are there to check whether the work is done properly and with honesty. For example, over the next three years, cuts are anticipated for the Auditor General of Canada, Elections Canada, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, the Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner and the Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada. There are also cuts affecting the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying. Those cuts are not huge, but it is still money that you have to come up with over the next three years. In fact, $200,000 from a budget of just over $4 million is still substantial.
Could you tell me what impact the Conservative government's budget choices will have on your ability to do your work properly?