Thank you, Minister, for those opening remarks.
Just before we go to questions, I should say on behalf of the committee that we're very proud of the work that we've undertaken in response to the original suggestion you made reference to, that the committee undertake a detailed analysis of the estimates process. While we have you here, as a committee I think we should tell you that we're very gratified that the government has seen fit to act on many of those recommendations.
In no small part I should point out one of our guests here today, the former vice-chair of the committee, Mike Wallace, who is perhaps one of the biggest fans of the estimates process you'll ever meet; it's almost like a hobby for him. He's now the chair of the justice committee, but he was here when we undertook the original opening of this study. We found it a very gratifying and educational experience that I hope leads to meaningful and lasting benefit as we move forward.
Anyway, having said that, there are members who are very interested in speaking to you about your main estimates.
First, for the NDP, is the Treasury Board critic Mathieu Ravignat.