Procedure and House Affairs committee  Mr. Chairman, through you, I must say that we have not been particularly affected by the government's decision. Consequently, a few years ago, in view of our pay equity concerns, we began a major classification project by conducting a thorough review of all classifications, of all positions at the House of Commons, to ensure that, in the classification method and in the points given for various aspects of a position, the pay equity issue was taken into consideration regarding men and women.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Let's say we were as lucky as we were visionary. We saw that there was really a fundamental problem that had to be more fundamentally corrected than we had thought at the outset. That's why we reviewed the classification.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  No. I worked on it, but it was under my predecessor's guidance.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Perhaps our chief financial officer, Ms. Kennedy, could—

Procedure and House Affairs committee  One of the continual challenges that's faced by information technology and our chief information officer, Louis Bard, whom I've asked to come to the table, is this whole question of new applications coming on the market and so forth. He'll be in a better position to answer that, as well as on the timeline for the constituency communication network.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  That's, in a way, a backdrop. As for the next steps toward privatization—let's say it that way—I believe the Speaker could address that topic since he is it's champion.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Indeed, to abide by—

Procedure and House Affairs committee  —the remaining time, I suggest we provide you with the answers to those various questions in writing, that is the figures you are looking for and what has been saved, and so on.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yes, that's it; that could be done. That nevertheless covers a certain—

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Perhaps I can address the security issues and questions that Madam Davies raised. I think we've made significant progress in the professionalization of the security service at the House of Commons and in the coordination of security on the Hill. The creation of the master security plan and the master security plan office has made a big difference in the dialogue among the different services--the RCMP, the City of Ottawa police, and the two forces within Parliament.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  There isn't an official freeze. However, I have asked each of the service chiefs to consider departures as an opportunity to reassess their needs. In some situations, for example, it might be more advantageous to reassign an employee elsewhere, or even to another service. Once again, that would be for the purpose of meeting needs and complying with priorities that are evolving.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I'm going to have to send you that information because I don't know how—

Procedure and House Affairs committee  What document are you referring to?

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I think that everything possible will be done to have it come in on time and on budget. One of the very great challenges that Public Works faces, in fairness to them, and that this whole renovation project faces, is that you're renovating heritage buildings but you're not renovating them to be museums.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Mr. Chairman, the Speaker suggests that I address the question of whether the main estimates are sufficient to see that the House of Commons meets its strategic objectives. I think they are. There is no question that we made a very serious effort as an administration. My senior management team made a very serious effort to come into line with the economic climate that everybody is facing, and we have been very rigorous in looking at our priorities.