Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Giroux, your report states the following:
As of November 2022, nearly $10 billion dollars have been spent on professional and special services this year - a record level compared to previous years over the same period. The 2023-24 Main Estimates indicate that planned expenditures on professional and special services will remain steady at $19.5 billion in 2023-24.
That number sets a record. In addition to the $10 billion spent in this fiscal year to November 2022, the government has 320,000 public servants, which is also a record in absolute numbers. However, it represents just under 1% of the population, which could be considered more or less reasonable or normal.
How can you explain the combination of record spending on external services and a public service that represents approximately 1% of the population? Do you have any concerns about these combined figures?