I call to order meeting number 52 of the Standing Committee on Finance. Our orders of the day, pursuant to Standing Order 83.1, are for us to continue our 2014 pre-budget consultations.
Colleagues, again we have two panels here, with five organizations or individuals per panel. We're still waiting, I understand, for two; they may be at security downstairs. We do have three present, so we will start with them and move on later to the other two.
First of all, from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, we have Mr. Hendrik Brakel, senior director of economic, financial, and tax policy. Second, from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, we have senior vice-president Corinne Pohlmann. From the Canadian Labour Congress, we have Ms. Angella MacEwen, senior economist. From the Green Budget Coalition, we have Mr. Andrew Van Iterson. As well, we have from the Retail Council of Canada Mr. David Wilkes, the senior vice-president.
I'd like to thank you all for being with us this afternoon. You each have a maximum of five minutes for your opening statement.
We will begin with Mr. Brakel, please.