Thank you, Chair.
I, too, thank the witnesses for being here. We've had occasion to expect we'd be questioning these witnesses, and that didn't happen in the past. It was abruptly cancelled, so it's good to see the witnesses here.
Continuing on that line, it's a reminder, I think, to all colleagues that in this committee, we're not here to micromanage.
It's interesting to hear that my Conservative colleague supports us hiring more, qualified public servants. I hope that continues to be the case and they will not be under the fear of being fired abruptly at any future time because somebody thinks it's a good move to make. As we have seen, it has long-term consequences to the professionalism, expertise and capacity of the public service to effectively carry out and monitor the work being done.
I am glad to see the deputy minister here, because I want to emphasize that it is with deputy ministers that this committee conducts its work. In the interest of contrast, I would like to ask what role the minister or minister's office plays in selecting bidders.