Good morning and welcome to meeting number 130 of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs. This meeting is being televised.
Pursuant to Standing Order 111, we are studying the certificate of nomination of the Right Honourable David Johnston to the position of debates commissioner.
We are pleased to have Mr. Johnston with us this morning. As in the past, I would like to remind members that the committee is only empowered to examine Mr. Johnston's qualifications and competence to perform the duties of the office to which he is being appointed. Please be mindful of this in your questioning of today's witness, so as not to stray into matters beyond the scope of the inquiry.
I wish to inform members that Minister Gould will be available to appear on Thursday, November 22, to provide the committee with a briefing on the independent debates commission. I will therefore go ahead and schedule that appearance.
Thank you for making yourself available today, Mr. Johnston. I think the last time we were together we were skating with Daniel Alfredsson in Sweden, which was great fun.
We look forward to your opening statement