I will call the meeting to order, colleagues. We're a little bit short of time today for reasons that will become clear on the record.
I see a quorum. We're reviewing the estimates of Public Works and Government Services Canada.
We welcome with us today as witness Minister Christian Paradis and a number of important ministry staff to help us with our review of the estimates. I believe the minister will be making an opening statement, and I invite him to do that now.
I will note, as we begin, that the minister is only able, for real reasons, to be with us for the first hour. The officials will remain. The minister may wish to make a comment on that as he makes his remarks.
Welcome, Minister Paradis. The floor is yours.