Mr. Proulx, let me rule on that.
Mr. Fitzpatrick is entitled to table the document. I assume it's in both official languages. We accept it for tabling and for no other purpose. I'm not going to hear any more comments on what is in the document. The document, I assume, will speak for itself.
Anybody else? Okay then, we're going to move on, people.
Before we call upon the auditor for opening remarks, I want to make a couple of comments if I may. I want to remind all members that this is a committee of accountability; it's not a committee of management. We're here at this meeting to review the operation of the government insofar as this particular instance has occurred. We're looking at the issues of prudence, probity, efficiency, economy, and whether taxpayers' money was spent wisely. We're dealing with an issue of procurement and government contracting policies and whether the rules were followed and the principles of transparency and fairness adhered to.
We understand we have two representatives from Envoy. They're not here today. They're coming next Tuesday. I just want to remind the members of the committee--and I wanted to do it at the first opportunity--that those companies were not audited by the Auditor General. It's not our mandate to go outside the activities of government. However, these witnesses may corroborate or explain deficiencies in certain government contracting practices.
We're certainly not a committee of adjudication or retribution, and certainly I hope we don't get into such issues. I urge members to stay focused.