Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
We do appreciate the invitation to appear before the committee to discuss the public accounts this afternoon.
As you've mentioned, Mr. Chair, I have two members of my staff with me: Mr. John Morgan, the assistant comptroller general, financial management and analysis sector; and Mr. Bill Matthews, the executive director, financial management and analysis sector.
For the tenth consecutive year, the Auditor General has issued an unqualified opinion on the government's financial status.
Mr. Chair, we have tabled a slide presentation outlining some of the key financial results for last year as well as our preliminary comments on the Observations of the Auditor General included in Public Accounts 2008. If you like, we can go through the presentation. I believe you indicated that you would like to see it. I'd be happy to oblige.
Before concluding, I would like to thank the Auditor General and the Office of the Auditor General for the continued professional working relationship that we have enjoyed.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
If you wish, I could go directly to the presentation.