I call this meeting to order.
Good morning, everyone. Welcome to meeting number 37 of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. The committee is meeting in public today and is being televised.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(g), the committee is meeting today to study “Report 7, Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy”, of the 2021 reports 6 to 9 of the Auditor General of Canada.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format pursuant to the House order of January 25, 2021. Therefore, members may be attending in person in the room or remotely by using the Zoom application.
Though I know we are all familiar with how our meetings work, I do need to remind members and witnesses of a few rules that we must follow.
Interpretation services are available for this meeting. You have the choice, at the bottom of your screen, of either “Floor”, “English” or “French”.
Before speaking, click on the microphone icon to activate your own mike. When you are finished speaking, please put your mike on mute to minimize any interference. When speaking, please speak slowly and clearly. Unless there are exceptional circumstances, the use of headsets with a boom microphone is mandatory for everyone participating remotely.
Should any technical challenges arise, please advise the chair, and note that we might then need to suspend for a few minutes as we want to ensure that all members are able to participate fully.
Now I'd like to welcome our witnesses.
Joining us today from the Office of the Auditor General are Andrew Hayes, deputy auditor general, and Philippe Le Goff, principal.
From the Canada Revenue Agency, we have Bob Hamilton, commissioner of revenue and chief executive officer; Ted Gallivan, assistant commissioner, compliance programs branch; and Maxime Guénette, assistant commissioner and chief privacy officer, public affairs branch.
From the Department of Finance, we have Michael Sabia, deputy minister; Andrew Marsland, senior assistant deputy minister, tax policy branch; Isabelle Jacques, assistant deputy minister, law branch; and Maude Lavoie, director general, business income tax division, tax policy branch.
I have been informed that Mr. Hayes won't be making an opening statement, so, Mr. Hamilton, you have five minutes, and then I'll go to Mr. Sabia for five minutes.