Thanks, Mr. Chair, and thank you both for being here.
First, let me thank you for your attention to duty, both in uniform and since then.
A lot of this doesn't relate to Bill C-41, but it's an important topic to discuss nevertheless. One of the problems here is that we're mixing the Financial Administration Act and the National Defence Act, I think.
You note in your report, “The Canadian Forces Grievance Process: Making It Right for Those Who Serve”, that you recommend the Chief of the Defence Staff be given the authority to settle financial claims and so on. That was recommended by Chief Justice Lamer. That principle has been accepted by governments of both stripes. Obviously it's been a long time. Apparently it's not as easy to resolve as might be suggested.
You note in your special report that the Financial Administration Act provides Treasury Board with the responsibility over the financial management of the federal government and that Treasury Board delegates certain powers to ministers and deputy heads of departments. In turn, the deputy minister is the chief accounting officer for the Department of National Defence. He is the financial authority.
Do you believe that Treasury Board would have to be involved in delegating powers to anyone other than the minister or the deputy minister? Do you know if the Financial Administration Act would have to be amended to allow this to happen?