First of all, I want to thank all the members of this committee for their confidence in me as the chair.
I see this new responsibility as a privilege and I will chair the committee with my usual objectivity. I will work to build consensus and I will play the role of chairman appropriately, according to the rules of Parliament. I would like to thank you for your support.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and to the motion adopted on Monday, February 23, 2009, the briefing session on Canada's involvement in Afghanistan hereby begins.
We can now commence our business. Our first witness is Brigadier-General Champagne.
Brigadier-General Champagne, the floor is yours.