Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Greetings to all the committee members.
Since my two colleagues have already been introduced, I have only two more points to raise.
First, the context for DND and its operating environment is very important as we work to meet these commitments.
The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces are one of Canada's largest employers and maintainers of equipment and infrastructure. This includes more than 20,000 buildings on bases and wings in the national capital region as well as in other cities. It includes housing for our people in uniform, as well as armouries, laboratories, workshops, medical facilities, shooting ranges and office buildings. It also includes vehicles, aircraft, ships and so much more.
I’d add, Mr. Chair, that many of our buildings, equipment and even power grids are old and in need of upgrade or replacement. Given all of this, DND was an obvious choice to be included in this audit.
The department is making progress, considering the size, age and complexity of our holdings and the ongoing work of the Canadian Armed Forces. While we are ahead of schedule in terms of meeting some of our shorter-term targets, the department still has some work to do to complete its plans to meet the 2050 targets, as the report points out.
The second point, Mr. Chair, is just a word of thanks to the commissioner's team for the significant work required just to perform this audit. The Department of National Defence is implicated specifically in the first recommendation of the report. As already mentioned, the department accepts the recommendation. This will mean that it will complete its work to increase prioritization, risk management and mitigation related to activities that will significantly reduce DND's greenhouse gas emissions.
Mr. Chair, I look forward to our next session, when we'll have Q and A. Hopefully I will have COVID behind me and will join you in person.