I call the meeting to order.
Today we've reached our 33rd meeting in our study on health services provided to Canadian Forces personnel, with an emphasis on post-traumatic stress disorder.
As it could be our last meeting before the summer break, it's an honour to have General Rick Hillier before us today.
Welcome, sir. It's always a pleasure to have you here. Thank you for taking the time to come.
On behalf of the committee, I'd like to thank you for all your hard work on behalf of our brave men and women serving in the Canadian Forces. In your years as CDS, you've been active in addressing the issues of mental health within the forces. So, again, we look forward to hearing your comments.
Before I hand it over to you for your comments, I have a note from John Cannis, who is the vice-chair of this committee. He's recovering from surgery and could not be here today. He called to extend his best wishes to you, Mr. Hillier, and wanted to thank you for your tremendous service to our country and to our men and women in uniform. He wishes you good health and much success in future endeavours.
Sir, you are familiar, I believe, with being before this committee and you know the drill. We will give you an opportunity for comments, and then we'll have a round of questioning. I understand you have an hour for us today, which will give each party a chance to ask a question or two.
The floor is yours, sir, and thank you very much for appearing.