We have a couple of items on the agenda to deal with today, motions that were carried forward from the previous meeting. At this point, and after brief discussions, it occurs to me that the presenter of the motion is not yet here. We have witnesses scheduled and in place, so I'm going to ask the committee its indulgence to proceed with the witnesses. If there is time at the end of the meeting we will deal with the motions of Mr. Cullen, should he arrive.
Do we have agreement? Thank you.
I also want to advise the committee that at the Liaison Committee this morning the budgets were approved, including a budget for a visit by the committee to the oil sands in Alberta on November 18 and 19.
If there's any further discussion we can probably defer that. I won't keep the witnesses any longer.
Let me welcome Hassan Hamza and Howard Brown. Also joining us is Kevin Cliffe, who is the director of the oil division, petroleum resources branch. Welcome.
We will allow you to make an initial presentation. It's going to be a little different this time because we are simply seeking information today.
Mr. Brown, are you going to begin?
At your leave, go ahead, and then when you have completed that, we'll go to questioning.
Mr. Brown, perhaps I could ask you to begin.