I call the meeting to order.
I'd like to welcome our presenter today to continue our discussions and study on the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan. Appearing today is General Michael Jeffery.
I have a very lengthy resumé of your military history, sir. I'll go right to the end, if you don't mind.
He served as Chief of the Land Staff from August 2000 to May 2003 and retired from the Canadian Forces at the rank of lieutenant-general on August 1, 2003, but carries on as the honorary campaign chairman for the Royal Canadian Artillery heritage campaign.
Sir, you obviously have the qualifications to come and talk to us about the issues we're studying. What I'd like to do is give you an opportunity for your comments and then open it up for questions.
We also have some business to deal with on our budget estimates for travel to Petawawa, Edmonton, and Gagetown, so I propose to save some time at the end. If we've exhausted our questions and could plan to wrap this meeting up between 5 o'clock and 5:15, we'll move into committee business.
Sir, the floor is yours. Thank you for being here.