Thank you, Mr. Chair, and Mr. Minister, I'm very honoured to see you here.
I would also like to welcome the deputy minister.
Mr. Minister, let me begin by congratulating you for your effort to speak French. If you wish, we can continue this discussion in the language.
Since I do not have much time, I'm going to ask you a few short questions. I would ask that your answers be short as well. Will you agree to provide short answers to short questions?