Public Accounts committee  As I've said, Madam Chair, not to my knowledge. That's number one. I can't really talk at this table beyond anything you've seen in the media reporting on that event.

Public Accounts committee  I don't think I can drift into that space today, Madam Chair.

Public Accounts committee  It will be a refuelling station while it's open that is open to others as well. That is its purpose. Rob may add in if there's anything beyond the actual refuelling. We can get into this later, because we are short for time, but there are contingency plans in terms of how one refuels ships when that station is not open.

Public Accounts committee  I can start, Madam Chair, and see if my colleagues wish to add anything. It is a group team sport in this area, in that it is about all domain awareness. You need to keep your eye on the air and sea as well as land. As we look to fill in the gaps that the Auditor General has identified in terms of awareness, you have to think across multiple departments.

Public Accounts committee  I will speak to that. What you have seen reported in the media, there's not really much beyond that I can add at this table.

Public Accounts committee  I will start, but I expect my colleagues from the Royal Canadian Navy will add in. Yes, Five Eyes is critical in terms of sharing information. Obviously, in the north, there's a special relationship with the U.S. because of NORAD. If you are thinking about events in recent weeks related to high-altitude objects, I can say that collaboration and information sharing with the United States were exceptional.

Public Accounts committee  Thank you for the question. I will turn to my colleague, if he has anything to add, in a second. I'm looking at his face and I'm thinking not, so I will take this one. We're happy to get back with additional information, but generally speaking, the Canadian Armed Forces has regular exercises in the area, including Operation Limpid and Operation Nanook.

Public Accounts committee  In terms of exercises and operations in the area, I'm not aware of anything specific, but as I said, I'm happy to take that back and see if there is something specific.

Public Accounts committee  As I said, the collaboration with Denmark has always been excellent—a great partner, a great relationship—but in terms of anything new and different since last June, I will have to get back to the committee.

Public Accounts committee  From a national defence perspective, I don't see any big obstacles, but I also would suggest that maybe this is a question that might be better placed with Global Affairs to see if they have anything to say. From a defence perspective, I don't see anything complicated.

Public Accounts committee  Any investment National Defence makes counts towards the calculation of 2%, so anything in here that will flow through National Defence will absolutely count. I won't speak for some other projects in here that are for Coast Guard and others.

Public Accounts committee  Thank you for the question. Again, anything that flows through National Defence, and certainly large components of this project do flow through National Defence, will count towards the 2% calculation.

Public Accounts committee  I will speak to the defence perspective, unless you were directing this to the Auditor General.

Public Accounts committee  Thank you for your question. As the deputy minister of national defence, I'm not sure exactly when the agreement will be signed. Of course, negotiations have been ongoing for several months, as you just said. However, Public Services and Procurement Canada is handling that process, so that's all I can say at this time.

Public Accounts committee  I can start the answer, but I will then yield to my counterpart so he can add his comments. Active submarines require a lot of maintenance, whether they are new or older. That's the nature of submarines. As we've said before, our submarines are fairly old. Mr. Waddell, would you like to add anything?