Colleagues, I think we'll get going. Even though it's a minute or two prior to the scheduled start time, we have a very busy agenda today and I'd like to make sure we maximize all of our allotted time.
Before I introduce our witnesses and have them give their opening statements, I have a couple of housekeeping notes.
Because we have several presenters today and at least two one-hour panels, there will only be time for one complete seven-minute round of questions with each panel, so be prepared for that. The second panel might even be a bit more truncated than that, because I'd like to get 15 minutes at the end of today's meeting to talk about future business and some future witnesses. We have to make a few decisions on that.
We have two options. We can keep the testimony and the questioning short, or we can extend the sitting time of this committee by about 10 or 15 minutes. We'll play that by ear.
With that brief introduction, I want to welcome all of our guests. This is the 71st meeting of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates. We're dealing with our study of the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act, also know as the whistle-blower act.
Without further ado, from the Department of National Defence, Mr. Manchanda, you have an opening statement. The floors is yours, sir.
If you could keep your comments, witnesses, to certainly no more than 10 minutes, and less if possible, that would be very much appreciated.
Please, sir, go ahead.