I'd like to call the meeting to order.
Welcome. Bienvenu à tous.
Today, colleagues, we have before us the Auditor General. She is accompanied by Lyn Sachs, the Assistant Auditor General. Welcome, Ms. Fraser. Welcome, Ms. Sachs.
We are reviewing the estimates, the departmental performance report, and the office's report on plans and priorities.
If I may, just before we hear from the Auditor General, as we all know, the public accounts committee is that committee of the House of Commons that provides oversight of all government spending. In other words, we ensure for Parliament, and through Parliament the Canadian people, that all government spending has been done with regard to economy and efficiency and is in compliance with all laws, regulations, and policy directives. In fulfilling our mandate we rely very heavily on the work of the Office of the Auditor General and the staff who work there. There wouldn't be a week that goes by that the Auditor General is not before this committee.
In addition, colleagues, the public accounts committee also provides oversight of the Office of the Auditor General itself. In other words, it's our job to ensure that the budget and the moneys allocated to the Office of the Auditor General are spent economically, efficiently, and again in compliance with all governmental laws, regulations, and policy directives. Each year we meet with the Auditor General at around this point in time to review and examine her office's departmental performance report--in other words, that report to Parliament on how the office has spent its allocations, how it functions, and how it has met its objectives. In addition, we review the office's report on plans and priorities and how it looks to fulfill its mandate in the upcoming year, or sometimes three years. Also, we approve its estimates, the moneys allocated by Parliament to operate the Office of the Auditor General.
Having said those opening remarks, I want to again welcome Ms. Sachs and Ms. Fraser.
Ms. Fraser, I understand you have some opening remarks. I will turn the floor over to you.