Government Operations committee  The contribution rate is determined by the Treasury Board. The percentage was 18.5% last year, but it's 17.5% this year. That establishes the employer contributions for the Canada Pension Plan and all other social benefits.

Government Operations committee  That organization doesn't report to us, but rather to a deputy minister. It doesn't report to us, as Privy Council officials.

Government Operations committee  I'm sorry, you're talking about the transportation committee?

Government Operations committee  You're right. That's part of the Prime Minister's responsibilities, but it isn't part of our department; it's separate.

Government Operations committee  Let me think.... Probably, as an organization, it would be under security and intelligence. From a program activity, it's probably advice to the Prime Minister.

Government Operations committee  I don't know what the actual cost of the investigation would be. I doubt if it would be significant enough to make a difference on the budget or the estimates.

Government Operations committee  I'm not familiar. This is the only investigation I have seen since my arrival at PCO, so I'm not aware.

Government Operations committee  I have no idea. I'm sorry, I don't know the answer.

Government Operations committee  I would have to check. I don't know the details of the contract.

Government Operations committee  No, I'm sorry, I haven't seen the contract.

Government Operations committee  I'm sorry, I don't know. I believe there is a date when the Prime Minister was expecting a report back from the clerk, but I would have to check and find out whether in fact that's been declared or not. I don't know.

Government Operations committee  I would say so. I don't think it was anticipated, but certainly from accountability and good management it would seem to fit there.

Government Operations committee  First of all, to answer your question about the process, we did actually put in place a risk-based analysis process. We've done a risk profile for the department, and we continue to refine that to make sure we're identifying those areas where we really do need to put priority. Out of that whole process is where we came to the understanding that our human resource capacity is by far our greatest challenge, so it is getting a great deal of attention and emergency management audit and evaluation.

Government Operations committee  Inside PCO, when we did our strategic HR plan, we actually identified four separate communities that are in different states of disrepair or have different needs. We identified the analysts, the executives, the administrative support group, and corporate services. There are challenges in all of them.

Government Operations committee  I'll give you a thumbnail sketch, and then if I've left any blanks you can question me. With respect to the risk-based integrated business planning process, last year under the direction of the clerk we put into place our strategic HR plan for PCO. It was the first ever done. It was launched in March 2007.