Public Accounts committee  It will do so in two ways. First of all, even though we're working to transition programming and funding to the NRC, we're still implementing the Auditor General's report. Strengthened record-keeping, strengthened conflict of interest processes and all of those things will travel with the programming to the NRC.

Public Accounts committee  I don't have an answer for that yet. Right now we're focusing on communications with staff because this is a big change for them, but the next step is to talk with stakeholders. Stakeholders are very anxious, obviously. I'll be honest. I haven't turned my mind to communication with the public.

Public Accounts committee  I don't know if it's appropriate to reveal this, but I'm 70 years old. My term is for one year. I'm hoping that we can complete this task in less than a year, and that will end my involvement with this process. I have no intention of, nor interest in, being in an ongoing role with SDTC or the NRC.

Public Accounts committee  The answers to those questions are at the end of the planning process, not the beginning. For the planning process that we're just embarking on, I've told you that we have divided the work among the three directors. The two who aren't here visiting with the committee are in Ottawa trying to advance that work.

Public Accounts committee  I'm not sure what you mean. Am I involved? As chair of the board, I will be involved, although I'm not leading the planning for the transfer of programming and staff to the NRC. That's one of my board colleagues.

Public Accounts committee  First of all, SDTC is a pretty small organization in terms of staff. I think it's in the neighbourhood of 75, so it's relatively small compared to the National Research Council. The minister has already said that all the staff from SDTC will be offered employment at the NRC, but of course, it remains to be seen how many of them decide they want to take that up.

Public Accounts committee  I'm sorry. I didn't quite hear the question.

Public Accounts committee  I can't say for sure what was in the minister's mind when he made this decision. Certainly, ministers get advice from their departments, but they also have other considerations. A move to the NRC—and the Auditor General has alluded to this—does help deal with some of the conflict of interest issues because the public service has very clear and strict rules about this.

Public Accounts committee  I'm sorry, Mr. Chair. Is there a question?

Public Accounts committee  In preparation for my appearance today.... I mean, I did quite a lot of things in the past two weeks and I prepared a list. I don't think the honourable member is asking that. I spent most of my time becoming familiar with the Auditor General's report. I haven't looked at any individual files yet, and I'm not ready to do that, but the one assurance I will give you is that I will implement the Auditor General's report to the best of my ability and make sure that no funding goes forward that isn't compliant.

Public Accounts committee  I listened carefully when the Auditor General made her remarks, and one part—given that I accept all the findings of her report—I found myself nodding my head to. That was when she talked about the legislation, which I find to be very complex. It bakes in the problem of conflicts of interest, because this is such a small sector, yet you require all these experts to opine, and then the board members, all with expertise in the sector, to decide.

Public Accounts committee  Mr. Chair, it's very difficult for me to say what the assistant deputy minister knew and what he reported to the deputy minister. I honestly don't know.

Public Accounts committee  One thing I will say is that this goes back to what I just said about the legislation. This is an arm's-length body—

Public Accounts committee  Mr. Chair, as I said before, I'm going to review all the projects with my two fellow board members. In any cases where money should be recovered—

Public Accounts committee  I will assess the projects and, when I believe money should be recovered and if it can be recovered, I will recover it.