Thank you, Mr. Chair.
First I would like to welcome you to the committee, which I'm sure is going to be a regular home for you over the next year. I hope you are made to feel very welcome.
I have to say that we watched the selection of the ombudsman very closely after the government broke its election promise by appointing two defeated Conservative MPs to VRAB in a return to brazen patronage. I'm especially happy to see that a former military officer with the field experience you have is looking after the interest of veterans. That is very welcome news for us.
Let me first focus on the mandate, the role, and the budget you have been provided with. Originally we had been told by the defence ombudsman that a veterans ombudsman could be done with a budget of as little as $250,000 a year. At the time I think we all recognized that this figure would be a fraction of the true cost given what's spent on VRAB and the Bureau of Pensions Advocates. I understand you have a budget right now of approximately $5 million. Perhaps you could tell us how you feel the budget number fits with expected demands and how it compares to the budget and services provided by the defence ombudsman. Have you had the chance to compare that?