Good afternoon, everyone.
We're going to quickly proceed with our meeting. Pursuant to Standing Order 81(5), we are conducting a study on the supplementary estimates (C) for 2012-13, on votes 1c, 20c, and 30c under National Defence, which was referred to this committee by the House of Commons on Monday, February 25.
Appearing before us today is the Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay, who is the Minister of National Defence. He's joined by our newly appointed Associate Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Kerry-Lynne Findlay.
At the table along with the minister are Robert Fonberg, deputy minister; Michael Martin, senior associate deputy minister; Vice-Admiral Bruce Donaldson, Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff; Kevin Lindsey, assistant deputy minister, chief financial officer, finance and corporate services; and Rear-Admiral Patrick Finn, chief of staff for the materiel group.
Minister MacKay, please give us your opening comments.