Noted, Mr. Richards.
The budget is therefore adopted on division.
For the first hour, we have with us the Hon. Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence. With her are representatives of the Department of Veterans Affairs. First we have Steven Harris, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Service Delivery Branch. Second is Mitch Freeman, Acting Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy, Planning and Performance Branch. With us too, by videoconference, is Jonathan Adams, Director General, Finance.
I know that when the minister and representatives of the department appear, committee members have a lot of questions to ask. I would therefore request that members ask clear, precise questions and witnesses give equally precise answers. That will make things easier for us and the interpreters, as well as maintaining decorum.
With that, I invite the minister to give her opening remarks.
Ms. Petitpas Taylor, the floor is yours for the next five minutes.