Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, guests, for being here this morning for the important business of supply.
We know that we're here to talk about the 2013-14 main estimates, but as a practice in this committee we've found that looking at things like RPPs is very helpful, because it gives a context of three years back and three years forward. We get a sense of what's going on with the longer-term trends with the financials. Some of the performance metrics you have in there are also an interesting contribution of the reports on plans and priorities, because those are drivers of some of the expenditures.
On page 13 of the RPP for Public Works and Government Services Canada, there is an interesting performance indicator. You talk about what percentage the Government of Canada spent through procurement instruments such as standing offers and supply arrangements, and you have a target of 15%. There is a balance of procurement that's done through competitive bidding processes, and the target there is 70%.
Can you talk about that target of 15% and why that is important? Also, is that something you'd like to see increased or decreased in the future?