I now declare this 84th meeting of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts in order.
Colleagues, you will recall that we had decided we would hold a public hearing today on chapter 2, “Grant and Contribution Program Reforms”, which flows from the fall 2012 report of the Auditor General of Canada.
Before I go any further on what's in front of us right this minute, I would just like to leave with colleagues something to consider. Should we conclude our rounds of discussion and questions and have time remaining—that would mean if we don't have an extension of the regular question rotation—then I would ask the committee to deal with some committee business. If we don't have time, it can hold until Thursday, but I think it would be in everyone's interest if we could take a stab at some of that work this afternoon if we have the time. I would just ask members to keep that in mind as we get towards the end of the rotation and make a determination on whether they wish to continue or move in camera to deal with a couple of outstanding business matters, one of which is significantly important.
With that, I would like to welcome all our guests today.
We have with us representatives from the Office of the Auditor General, the Treasury Board Secretariat, the Public Health Agency, the Canadian International Development Agency, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, and Western Economic Diversification Canada.
I will start with the Auditor General and ask Mr. Ferguson to introduce his delegation, if he has anyone with him, and to also commence with his opening remarks.
Mr. Auditor General, you have the floor, sir.