Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you for being here today to discuss your recent report on pay equity and the Pay Equity Act.
Given that yesterday was the 50th anniversary of the Royal Commission on the Status of Women, and the topic of pay equity was one of the issues that the report highlighted, I believe it is fitting that today we study what the government has or hasn't done for women. It's unfortunate that the Liberals couldn't give this file the attention it deserves in ensuring that the minister responsible for pay equity, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, could make an appearance here today. I look forward to her coming in January and answering our questions. Canadians can be assured that Conservatives will always stand up for women and equality.
In your report and your presentation just a few minutes ago, you referred several times to your request to the government for the documents to help you assess what the cost would be to bring about pay equity. The government cited cabinet confidence on those documents. What specific documents were you requesting? In your experience, has it become common practice for the government to withhold information from you? Has this hindered your process at all?