Thank you, Mr. Chair. It's a pleasure to be here at public accounts with my colleagues and jumping in for a second.
I have the honour to represent Depot in Regina—Lewvan, and F Division as well. I want to say before we get started that I am proud to represent all the men and women who serve us across the country. Every RCMP officer who goes to every one of your towns and cities goes through Depot, through Regina—Lewvan first, and I'm very proud to represent those men and women.
I have some questions that I want to start off with.
One is something that has been confusing to the public, Commissioner, and this is the fact of the continual repetition of the government—the Liberals—in saying that there are going to be 1,000 new RCMP officers hired. I have some information here. Can you confirm or deny that there will be 1,000 new frontline RCMP officers hired?