Thank you, Chair.
It's good to see many of you again.
I hate to bring up those dreaded words, “accrual accounting”. I recall back in 2004 when I came on the public accounts committee and the first Auditor General's report made some very serious and strong recommendations for the implementation of accrual accounting. To me, we need to run to get the job done, but first you have to walk before you run--if that's a fair assessment.
I recognize after sitting on this, and to the government operations and special committee for the implementation, and I am pleased to see we now have a pilot in place. I think that's a great step forward. I see we also have a plan to implement starting in 2009-2010, and of course you're moving to require all departments within five years. I have a couple of thoughts on this. We all know it's going to be extremely difficult--it's costly, there's training and manpower. This is not a simple situation. Of course, the Auditor General's office has certainly expressed a desire to go beyond the budgetary and take it to the full implementation of accrual for the appropriations as well.
In your discussions, Mr. Monette, in your original thoughts here today you said that you would like to expand your thoughts on this. I'd like to hear from you now.