Minister Sajjan, thank you for being here.
Please keep in mind that my questions seek to shed light on the pressure being exerted on defence, given that this constitutes the main topic of our study.
With the previous panel, we spoke about the responsibility of the different levels of government when the Canadian Armed Forces are called upon to respond. Everyone is involved, at the municipal, provincial and federal levels.
Who is ultimately responsible for not taking proactive steps to avoid having to call upon the Canadian Armed Forces?
Between the Department of National Defence and the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, are the responsibilities set out? For example, could the Department of National Defence say that the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness could have done more before calling upon the Canadian Armed Forces?