As committee members are aware, I'm very sensitive so I will heed that.
I'm delighted to be here with you today. I've said this before but I think it bears repeating. I have a lot of respect for the work that committees do. Having been a member of Parliament for almost 21 years, I've spent most of my time in opposition, in fact. I enjoyed and valued my work on committees, and I understand full well the importance of the work of committees.
I'm delighted to be here with Brian Pagan, Renée LaFontaine, and Yaprak Baltacioglu, the secretary of the Treasury Board.
If you will indulge me for a moment, this will be Yaprak's last appearance before a parliamentary committee, I believe. Sadly for me, and for Canadians, Yaprak is retiring after 30 years of public service, having served a lot of governments. Her story is of somebody who came here at the age of 22 from Turkey, who was educated here, raised children here, and chose to serve a Canada that she loves. She has made an immense difference in the lives of Canadians over that period of time. She has been an exceptional public servant, and I want to thank Yaprak, on behalf of all of us, for her work.