Thank you, Madam Chair.
Mr. Fortier, thank you for being here with us. Thanks as well to Mr. Marshall and all the senior officials who are with him.
As you undoubtedly know, we are quite pleased to be able to ask you questions. Since this isn't a question period, I'm sure we all hope to get some answers.
My first question, to which you referred in your address, concerns the fact that, for a number of years now, Public Works has been trying to find ways to innovate and achieve savings. Over the next hour and a half, my colleague and I will be able to ask you questions, mainly about supply, real property management and risk management in information technology, among other things. Here we're talking about better potential innovations for your department.
The previous government said it wanted to save a few billion dollars by grouping government purchases together. As you've already said, the idea for you is to optimize purchases in order to achieve your objective, lower prices.
First, I'd like to know whether your objective is the same.
Second, I'd like to know whether you're motivated by a sense of fairness towards the regions. By that, I don't mean you should buy in Manitoba if that means paying three times the price. However, I'd like you to tell me whether, when your department tries to get the best possible price, it will keep in mind the cross-Canada reality, that is to say that businesses are established right across the country. As you know, this is a very important issue for the survival of certain regions. If this is indeed an objective of your department, how will it manage it?
Lastly, I'd like to know approximately how purchases are allocated by province, in Quebec, and by subregion, if you're willing.