Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Thank you very much, Minister Kenney and Minister Fantino and team, for coming today to our committee.
Minister Kenney, you mentioned that in its 2015 budget the Canadian government indicated that it will be strengthening the Canadian Armed Forces by providing $11.8 billion over 10 years, an increase to the annual escalator of National Defence's budget to 3% starting in 2017-18. I outline also that our government recently increased DND's annual escalator to 2%.
Minister, how does this escalator of 3% impact DND and the Canadian Armed Forces' long-term funding, and which programs will benefit from this additional funding? Can you provide an idea of how this additional funding will be spent and used?