Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good day to you and to members of the committee.
Thank you very much for the invitation to appear before this committee to discuss the Public Accounts of Canada. I am pleased to be here in my new role as Comptroller General of Canada.
With me are two members of my staff: Mr. Bill Matthews, assistant comptroller general, financial management and analysis sector; and Ms. Suzie Gignac, executive director, government accounting policy and reporting.
For the 11th consecutive year, the Auditor General has issued an unqualified opinion on the government's financial statements. This testifies to the highest standards of the government's financial statements and reporting.
I would like to thank the Auditor General and her office for the continued professional working relationship that we have enjoyed.
Mr. Chair, we have tabled a slide presentation outlining some of the key financial results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009. We can go through the presentation, or if you would prefer, we can simply table the presentation and go directly to the questions of the committee.
Thank you.