Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Thank you very much to the witnesses appearing in front of us, especially the two ministers.
I have three questions. Hopefully I'll have time. One is generic, one is related to supplementary estimates (C), and one is related to the main estimates. I'll start with the generic question.
Minister MacKay, as a first-generation immigrant to Canada, a former serving member in the Canadian Forces engineer reserve and regular force, and a veteran from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Afghanistan, I have a pretty basic question, but I think the message is very important to understand.
How has the Canadian Forces been able to achieve the significant success we have witnessed in Afghanistan, Libya, Haiti, and the Olympics? Further, has this resulted in the Canadian Forces being among the most respected militaries in the world? I am proud of the Canadian Forces. I am thankful for your wise leadership in this department.
The second question is related to the supplementary estimates (C). This committee heard from numerous witnesses, through our study on readiness, that maintaining a presence in the Arctic is becoming increasingly important to the security and sovereignty of Canada. Is there anything in these estimates that addresses this reality, and is it enough?
The third question is related to the main estimates. In the wake of the Canadian Forces' recent successes in both Afghanistan and Libya, how successful has the Canadian Forces been in recruiting and retaining personnel? Are we close to meeting projected goals of personnel? Additionally, are there any gaps in the Canadian Forces that are currently being addressed? I see a potential reduction in training and personnel recruiting.
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.