Absolutely, Mr. Chairman, for only 30 seconds, I'd just like to make two comments in response to this discussion.
First, the Comptroller General I believe is quite correct in pointing out that, under their internal control policy, departments will be making assertions as to internal control. What won't be happening there is that there will be no independent external validation of those through an audit process like that done by the Auditor General.
The other comment I'd like to make is that there's been some discussion around the consolidated financial statements of the Government of Canada, which indeed, the Auditor General audits. As the committee is well aware, this is a $250-billion-a-year financial statement, which the Auditor General audits. Auditing that financial statement at that level is quite different from auditing the Department of National Defence as a separate entity or any other department as a separate entity.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.