Thank you, Mr. Chair.
We appreciate the opportunity to appear before this committee to discuss the findings of the Office of the Auditor General and, perhaps more important, to explain the CRTC's role in increasing connectivity for Canadians living in rural and remote areas of the country.
As the Auditor General's report on connectivity in rural and remote areas noted, the commission has a limited but important part to play. Our job as an independent regulator is to ensure Canadians have access to a world-class communication system that promotes innovation and enriches their lives. The CRTC believes that all Canadians, no matter where they live, should have access to broadband Internet services on both fixed and mobile networks.
As the Auditor General's report underlines, connectivity is vital in today's world—