Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you, Minister, Ms. Tining, and Mr. Gilbert for being here.
I have a number of questions. I'm trying to understand the machinations of all these cuts. Veterans Affairs Canada estimates that the personnel expenditures will decrease to about $270 million in 2012-13, down from $275 million in 2011-12.
Given that the main estimates don't take into account the deficit reduction plan we heard so much about, how is this $5 million decrease in personnel cost explained? Could you explain that for me?