Thank you very much, Chair.
Thank you all very much.
I want to pick up where Mr. Sweet opened up, which is how we got here. I understand we don't want to spend too much time focusing on that, because that's not the real issue. But it is troubling.
If you look at the fourth paragraph of the Auditor General's statement this morning--I think this captures it nicely--the second sentence of that paragraph says: “Program managers have indicated to branch management that some core compliance and enforcement activities are insufficient to protect the health and safety of Canadians.” To the best of my knowledge, every government that has ever assumed power in Canada recognizes its first and top priority to be the protection of the safety and health of its citizens.
I'd like to know who these program managers reported to. Who received information that there was inadequate review going on to protect the safety and health of Canadians and made a management decision not to push it higher? At what point did the actions stop, and who is accountable?