Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I look forward to working with colleagues on this committee.
I want to start by saying that I look forward to being on the public accounts committee. I have a lot of respect for the Office of the Auditor General. I think they do a lot of important work. I think from a public policy end, whenever they speak, we listen. That's not only you as elected officials; obviously, the deputy ministers and departments do as well. It's an effective way to effect change and get better governance at the federal level.
Mr. Hayes, let me start with you. I want to focus on page 18, which talks about the inconsistencies in the application process. There is a specific line about the eligibility amounts for different programs. When it came to the Canadian seafood stabilization fund, you noted that “Applicants in different regions were also subject to different percentages of reimbursement for eligible activities.” Were you given any reason for the varying percentages in different parts of the country?