All right. I'll fast forward then.
In terms of the implementation of comprehensive claims agreements, we recognize implementation will be a huge part of the effectiveness. We've started an evaluation process around the impact of claims in communities. We have meetings going on with the parties to these claims. There's a national conference taking place in late June, and we're bringing to bear workshops and expertise on results-based management so that we move beyond strictly the legal obligations to the shared objectives these claims settlements represent.
I can report on progress regarding the food mail program perhaps, if that comes up in the questions. We are going through a review of the operations and the entry points, and there are pilot projects under way.
In terms of management controls and the reporting burden, we are trying to hack away at the underbrush of reporting, trying to reduce the number of national and regional reports, automate financial systems, and put in place more state-of-the-art transfer payment systems. As you know, the department works on hundreds of contribution agreements. A contribution agreement is money in exchange for reporting on what it was used for, so it's not surprising that there's a lot of reporting. We accept the challenge of pruning and simplifying this over the coming years and bringing new technology to bear, to automate and to make it as easy as possible for the recipients of funding.
I won't rehash the minister's priorities or the government's priorities. This subject was aired at the aboriginal affairs committee last week. I think he's been relatively clear on them, and therefore I and my department have our marching orders in terms of priorities going forward.
I think I'd close on the observation that the Auditor General's work is a very important management tool for us, very important in terms of shaping policy proposals and program design going forward.
I find her enunciation of seven principles or seven standards or success factors enormously useful going forward, including the one about having a modern legislative base for core programs. It's my impression, after three and a half weeks in the department, that the department is being asked to do an awful lot with antiquated legislation and financial tools, and that this committee's advice and the Auditor General's advice on the tool kit available to us as public service managers will be enormously helpful. Therefore, I look forward to working with the committee in the months ahead.
I'll conclude on that note, Mr. Chairman, to allow committee members an opportunity to put their questions.