Colleagues, if I can gavel us in a few moments early, I'll go over a couple of things for your benefit before we turn our attention to the witness in front of us.
Colleagues, we will be conducting this meeting between the hours of 3:30 and 5. For those members on the subcommittee on agenda, we had been scheduled to meet from 5 to 6, but we will of course be interrupted by bells. When the subcommittee does meet, we'll discuss how long we can meet before we have to get back to Centre Block to make it in time for the votes.
The second thing I want to point out is that we had discussed at one time having two separate panels at this meeting. The first would be a panel of three former SSC officials, and the second panel, which would be half an hour, would be with the equivalent ministry in the Ontario government. Mr. Nicholl has graciously accepted our invitation to attend, but my feeling and that of the clerk is that since Mr. Nicholl has come here from Toronto, it might be a bit of an insult to have him appear for only 30 minutes. We have asked whether he can appear as part of the entire panel, which we will have for 90 minutes. I believe you have questions for all of the witnesses, mostly for three former employees and Mr. Nicholl. Hopefully, colleagues, that won't be problematic for any of you, but they will all be appearing as one panel rather than two separate panels.
With that, we'll convene the meeting. My understanding, lady and gentlemen, is that neither of you has any opening comments. We can go directly into questions.
Mr. Drouin.