We will now bring to order meeting number 16 of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. I remind my colleagues that today's meeting is televised.
Before the committee today is the 2011 Fall Report of the Auditor General of Canada.
The witnesses we have before us today are no strangers to this committee. We have with us Interim Auditor General John Wiersema, Assistant Auditor General Wendy Loschiuk, and Assistant Auditor General Neil Maxwell.
Colleagues, I would draw to your attention the fact that we have visitors here today to observe the happenings of the public accounts committee. It's a parliamentary delegation from Bangladesh, composed of four committee chairs along with their officials and their staff, led by Dr. Mozammel Hossain, the chair of the committee on social welfare of the National Assembly of Bangladesh.
I believe we should welcome them.
[Applause]
There is a possibility--depending, of course, on the scheduling and the time change and the implications of such--that the members of this committee may have an opportunity to meet informally with the delegation tomorrow. That of course is still subject to change.
Before we begin our meeting today, if I may—and I believe it would certainly be in order—I want to thank Mr. Wiersema for what will be his last appearance before this committee serving in his capacity as Interim Auditor General. We thank him not only for serving as the Interim Auditor General, but for his service for the past 33 years.
John, if I may be casual, in my personal thoughts here, which certainly, I know, are shared by all members on this committee and, I can assure you, on behalf of Canadians, we thank you.
[Applause]
That having been stated, sir, the floor is yours for an opening statement.