Thank you, Mr. Chair. I do want to commend the Office of the Comptroller General for taking previous year's review seriously and bringing more detailed analysis of the Fiscal Responsibility Policy into the public accounts.
It is the committee's understanding that this information has not been available previously, and as it is the cornerstone of our government's fiscal policies or budgeting policies, committee feels very strongly that this information needs to be clearly presented to the public. Given that the responsibility policy is an accountability mechanism as much it is a limit on spending, it is imperative that we have clear accounting of it so that it is clear that the government is living up to its promises, commitments, and policies.
Where we feel that it can be improved is that much of the information was quite confusing to the committee on first read. When we were able to receive evidence from the Comptroller General around the Financial Statement Discussion and Analysis section, we were able to learn where those numbers come from and better understand them, but not everyone in the public has the benefit of sitting down with the Comptroller General.
The committee feels that, if we can find a way to clarify this and make the information in the facts and figures relatable, easy to find, and understandable, it will ultimately result in a more readable and consistent document and allow for the goals of accountability and transparency that are set out in the policy to be properly realized in the public accounts document.
I support this motion, and I hope others will as well. Thank you.