Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to your officials for coming as well.
I would say off the top as well that our armed forces certainly are to be congratulated and thanked for their involvement in international theatres in support of the international community, as well as for their efforts in domestic, often weather, crises. Going back to the ice storm, I have observed this. It's interesting, because people ask, should we be spending money on the military? Then when there's a domestic crisis due to weather, you're much appreciated for coming in.
I'd also say that I don't think Canadians recognize enough the risk involved in just staying prepared and in training, as we saw in the accident in the last two weeks ago, or thereabouts, with the death of a soldier. I just want to say that off the top.
You mentioned in your remarks, Mr. Minister, the media attention on the sexual assaults in the Canadian Armed Forces. When General Lawson was before the committee he said, “...I do not accept from any quarter the notion that sexual misconduct is simply part of our military culture.”
Is that your position as well?