Order, please.
I call the meeting to order. I see a quorum.
Colleagues, we're here in our first full meeting as a committee. I thank members for allowing us to proceed as quickly as we have following the organization of the committee.
We're pleased to have as witnesses today individuals from Public Works and Government Services Canada. The subject matter is the supplementary estimates (B), which have been presented to the House again. These estimates were and are for the fiscal year 2008-09. I believe they were presented to the House in the previous Parliament, and we have to deal with them as expeditiously and as carefully as we can.
Having said that, I'll just acknowledge the two witnesses.
We have Mr. Mike Hawkes, chief financial officer, Finance Branch, at Public Works, and Mr. John McBain, associate assistant deputy minister, Real Property Branch.
I would invite the witnesses, if they wish, to make a brief reference or presentation to the subject matter of the supplementary estimates in question here today.
Go ahead, Mr. Hawkes.