Public Accounts committee  There's no question it's not acceptable to have performed only 26% of the planned audits, and it's not acceptable not to have trained a sufficient number of people to deliver on those audits. That's what the action plan is about. We're making steady progress.

Public Accounts committee  I'm assuming the question is directed to me.

Public Accounts committee  On the question of resources and inspections, we are doing a record number of inspections. I don't think looking at this per number of miles or whatever is a good indicator, because what we need to focus on is having the data to measure where the highest risks are. The department

Public Accounts committee  As a general point, you're absolutely right in saying that falling short is not acceptable. It's about what you do about it. I tried to be very clear that where we've fallen short is on full implementation of SMS and having the audit capacity to back this up. As a deputy ministe

Public Accounts committee  Absolutely, in terms of that. Resources at the department level are geared to having the training since it became an issue of staffing first, ensuring you have the people and then delivering them the proper training.

Public Accounts committee  I would phrase that differently. Because it's critical to remember that the preface to this report says it's not commenting on safety risks, and it's not commenting on safety in the transportation system, per se. For me the issue is how do I best deploy resources of the surveill

Public Accounts committee  It says that if you don't have a uniform methodology—

Public Accounts committee  Okay.

Public Accounts committee  We didn`t have a uniform methodology to both assess risk and deploy the resources. We are not in such a good position, not having that, because if we had that we would be deploying our resources to maximum effect to reduce the risk.

Public Accounts committee  Inspections.

Public Accounts committee  For us, the basic message from the Auditor General is to have uniform, clear, and systematic documentation and instructions to our staff in the field in order that we maximize the consistency and the effectiveness and efficiency. That message is heard loud and clear. As profess

Public Accounts committee  There is a number of factors, including the types of operations, where they go through, the size of the operation, the nature of what they transport. All of that is taken into account. Laureen and Luc have 50 years of experience.

Public Accounts committee  I agree 100%.

Public Accounts committee  As the report of the Auditor General of Canada indicates, deficiencies were found in the documentation on the follow-up of inspection activities. Our action plan includes specific measures for that. My colleagues Ms. Kinney and Mr. Bourdon will be able to give you more informatio

Public Accounts committee  I'm not quite sure in terms of the terminology. My reaction when I hear that is most companies typically have in these programs elements that target specific areas of safety, and that's been a traditional approach in companies. SMS was about ensuring that all aspects of operati