Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I would first like to welcome our friends. I will begin by explaining why the Bloc Québécois really pushed to have this kind of study done.
The government wants to acquire equipment worth some $20 billion. I have always been baffled by the fact that members of Parliament, including those on the defence committee, were completely excluded. This is not an easy situation for parliamentarians. We are dealing with public servants and generals who have been around for some 30 years. We are trying to understand how things work, but we are left with the impression that everything is shrouded in a culture of secrecy. These people form a group. They make their preparations and the further things are kept from parliamentarians, the better. This is why I pushed for this study to be conducted. The culture of secrecy applies to everyone who appears before us as witnesses.
Mr. Williams, you are a changed man. I remember asking you some questions when you were a public servant. You do not have the same attitude. As I said, a culture of secrecy surrounds all of this. We must overcome it. We, as parliamentarians, have the considerable advantage of being those whom the taxpayers entrust to ensure that their tax dollars are spent appropriately.
Furthermore, Mr. Bland, you admit that the Canadian Forces have been neglected for years. However, one cannot build an army simply because one decides to do so. A defence policy must be adopted. The Liberals did so in 2005 and the Conservatives subsequently said that they would likely continue in the same direction. Everyone is now wondering what should be included in that policy and we are all anxiously awaiting the defence capability plan, which we have yet to see. We are in the process of purchasing some $20 billion worth of equipment, but we do not know whether it can be justified in the context of a new defence policy.
We hope to conclude our study by asking ourselves what the best solution would be. You suggested some avenues, Mr. Williams. You talked about the primary role of the Department of National Defence, and Public Works and Government Services. For now, the process is very fragmented. When we ask one minister a question, he tells us to ask the other minister the following week, since it is not his responsibility. When we ask that minister, he tells us that we should have asked the first minister the week before. We are in a rather awkward situation.
Could you please elaborate on the industrial benefits? This is very important to us. As I am sure you are aware, there is currently a debate raging on this. The Bloc Québécois is presenting a motion in the House today. I think the Department of Industry has a role to play. You did not mention this in connection with Defence Procurement Canada, but I imagine you want these people to complete the work of the first two and to ensure that the benefits are properly distributed.
I have raised many questions and will therefore hand over the floor. I am anxious to hear your answers.