Good morning, and thank you very much for the invitation to appear in front of you today to discuss our department's supplementary estimates (B) for the fiscal year 2012-13.
We'll be joined shortly by our acting minister, the Honourable Gail Shea, but before she arrives, we will give you some detail about the estimates.
I have asked our chief financial officer, Roch Huppé, to provide you with an overview of our spending plans and to describe changes to the estimated expenditures for our department.
My name is Marc Grégoire, and I am the commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard. I'm also appearing today on behalf of our acting deputy minister, David Bevan, who is ill and unable to attend today.
With us today are three assistant deputy ministers from Fisheries and Oceans. They are: David Balfour, ecosystems and fisheries management sector, whom you see on a regular basis; Kevin Stringer, ecosystems and oceans science sector, whom you also see on a regular basis; and Trevor Swerdfager, transformation and program policy sector.
The budgetary figures Mr. Huppé will present were, or course, part of the supplementary estimates (B) tabled in Parliament last month.
Mr. Chair, our departmental focus continues to be on three strategic outcomes—economically prosperous maritime sectors and fisheries, sustainable aquatic ecosystems, and safe and secure waters.
Our targeted spending on key programs will support these strategic outcomes and ensure that we continue to create the conditions for our fishing and other maritime industries to generate value for Canadians.
The department, including the coast guard, is implementing modernization initiatives, as defined in recent budgetary review processes, while streamlining and increasing our efficiency in all areas.
Mr. Chair, our department has made important contributions to Canadians from coast to coast to coast. We will continue to build on achievements of the past as we look into the future.
Thank you, Mr. Chair, and now let me turn the microphone over to our chief financial officer, after whose presentation we'll be able and pleased to take your questions.