I'd like to respond. Then I'll allow Mrs. Hinton to carry on with the next one. Then we have Mr. Perron on deck as well.
First off, the concept of being away from their families for 11 months touches my heart too. I think it's usually supposed to be six. I know I've met people on board some of our frigates who are in specialized trades and who have been there for 18 months. This was during Operation Apollo in the Arabian Sea. It was because it's a specialized trade, and they didn't have anybody to fill the spot. It's very unfortunate, but if you don't have someone in those roles, the ships literally wouldn't operate properly. It's very unfortunate, and hopefully there's a way we can hire some more of those people in specialized trades.
I agree with regard to the issues about transition from DND to VAC. We hear that occasionally.
As far as the date for the report is concerned, I think part of the reason we are discussing this here today is that we do want to produce something for the House. Having said that, though, I do ask committee members to keep in mind that we do have budgets already approved for travel to Petawawa and to Valcartier; you may not want to produce the report before you travel there, given that you're travelling to Petawawa and Valcartier for the purpose of producing the report. I'm the guy who has to represent you at the Liaison Committee to get you funding for these things, so I ask you to be cognizant of that.
As for my absence on the second leg of the trip, I was sick as a dog. I picked up a flu in Cold Lake. Anyhow, these things happen.
Now we'll go to Ms. Hinton.