Colleagues, witnesses, and visitors, first of all, I'd like to welcome everyone to the meeting of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts.
This meeting has been called pursuant to the Standing Orders to review chapter 7, “Acquisition of Leased Office Space”, of the May 2006 report of the Auditor General of Canada, which of course is automatically referred to this committee.
Appearing before the committee this morning, from the Department of Public Works and Government Services, we have the deputy minister, David Marshall, accompanied by Tim McGrath, the acting assistant deputy minister, real property branch.
Welcome, Mr. Marshall and Mr. McGrath.
From the Office of the Auditor General, we have the Assistant Auditor General, Ronnie Campbell, and he's accompanied by Bruce Sloan, principal.
From the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, we have Jim Libbey, the executive director, financial systems acceptance authority directorate, and Blair James, executive director, assets and acquired services directorate.
Gentlemen, I want to welcome each and every one of you. We're going to start right away.
Mr. Campbell, I understand that you have an opening statement.