Thank you very much, Chair.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the Auditor General and her office again for all the hard work you have done in preparing these reports. It's greatly appreciated and it is very important for us in the committee as well.
I'll be talking about chapter 6, “Acquisition of Military Helicopters”, this morning, and focusing my comments on the mismanagement that you raised, which equates to the billions of dollars in cost overruns.
You mentioned in paragraph 6.59 of your report that, “In 2006, the project was described by National Defence internally and to Cabinet and the Treasury Board as an off-the-shelf procurement”, and then you further stated that, the “Risks were generally assessed as 'low' to 'medium'....”.
First of all, do you believe that is accurate? Secondly, why is this description important? Then, thirdly, I have a follow-up question with respect to comments you made with respect to the F-35s as well.