Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Good afternoon, Minister, gentlemen, ladies and colleagues.
Mr. Chair, before I start asking my questions, I must say that it seems a little surprising, if not unfortunate, that the government members declined the minister's openness to address very relevant questions about the Department of National Defence and all related expenditures. The government members refused the debate and that's unfortunate.
Madam Minister, I would like to talk to you about the issue at the heart of the northern defence strategy, the construction of the icebreaker Diefenbaker. As you know, it is a huge project worth more than $1 billion. When it was announced in February 2013, it was supposed to cost $720 million and the launch was scheduled for 2021. Now, the probable cost is $1.4 billion and the launch could take place in 2023. Within a few years, the price has doubled and the delivery date has been extended.
I would like to know where we stand. Have we started cutting steel to build the Diefenbaker? Otherwise, when will the first cut take place?