Because we were a little late getting going this morning with some of the committee business we had to look at first, we still have to pretty well conclude at 11 o'clock. I therefore want to rush along here as quickly as possible.
We are very pleased to have three guests appearing in the second hour today: first of all, Mr. Bob Applebaum, former director general, Department of Fisheries and Oceans; Mr. Scott Parsons, former assistant deputy minister, Department of Fisheries and Oceans; also, the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
We welcome all our guests this morning.
We will begin with Mr. Parsons. You can have some opening comments, and then we'll go into the round of questioning. We noted you were here for the first hour, so you know how the process works.
Mr. Parsons.