Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), we are undertaking a study on chapter 4, “Managing the Coast Guard Fleet and Marine Navigational Services—Fisheries and Oceans Canada”, of the February 2007 report of the Auditor General of Canada.
I'd like to welcome our guests. We have a few more members to arrive, but it is eight minutes past the hour of eleven and we only have two hours. I'm sure the membership will have all kinds of questions for our guests.
I would like to welcome Sheila Fraser, Auditor General of Canada; John O'Brien, principal; and Kevin Potter, director.
From the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, we welcome George Da Pont, Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard; Larry Murray, deputy minister; and Charles Gadula, Acting Deputy Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard.
I would also like to welcome two guests here today, Jake Vanderhide and Georges Cormier from the Pacific Halibut Association, who are here just to take in the proceedings of committee today.
I will ask the Auditor General, if she would, to start.