I call the meeting to order.
Welcome, everyone.
This meeting has been called pursuant to the Standing Orders for today to deal with chapter 6, “Selected Contribution Agreements--Natural Resources Canada”, of the spring 2009 Report of the Auditor General of Canada.
The committee is very pleased to have before us this afternoon Ms. Sheila Fraser, the Auditor General, representing the Office of the Auditor General. She's accompanied by the deputy auditor, Mr. John Wiersema, and principal Linda Drainville. From the Department of Natural Resources we have the deputy minister and present accounting officer, Ms. Cassie J. Doyle; she's accompanied by Mr. Bill Merklinger, assistant deputy minister. We also have with us Mr. Richard Fadden, who was the previous deputy minister of the Department of Natural Resources.
On behalf of every member of the committee, I want to welcome each and every one of you. We'll get right down to business. We're going to ask the Auditor General for her opening comments. Then we're going to turn to you, Ms. Doyle. I understand, Mr. Fadden, that you do not have an opening statement.
Please go ahead, Ms. Fraser.