We could put a paragraph in the report acknowledging that the audit was completed--and we'll give the specific date--by February 2007, and that the testimony of the committee was heard in March 2008. We could say that the committee is cognizant of the fact that there could have been many changes and developments since then, but we will deal with them as we heard them from the record. Then, as we do in most reports, we could call for progress reports and progress action plans. It's a difficult issue.
Of course, one other option is to forget the whole thing and not do them at all. You could just acknowledge and point out that you are operating under a disadvantage, and move on. But to get into a situation where you're looking for future developments.... Even with the audits we do now....
On Tuesday we're going to get six reports from the Auditor General. Under the process, that work would have probably been done last year anyway. Then they go to the department with a draft report and it's finessed. Then they have it translated and tabled in Parliament. So there will probably be a five- or six-month lag in the ones we get on Tuesday.
But in this case there is certainly a difficulty. I know what you're all saying. You're damned if you do and damned if you don't. It's a tough issue.
Mr. Shipley.