I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 82 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance. Pursuant to Standing Order 81(4) and the motion adopted on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, the committee is meeting to discuss main estimates 2023-24, referred to the committee on Wednesday, February 15, 2023.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the House order of June 23, 2022. Members are attending in person in the room and remotely using the Zoom application.
I would like to make a few comments for the benefit of witnesses and members.
Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. For those participating by video conference, click on the microphone icon to activate your mike, and please mute yourself when you are not speaking.
With respect to interpretation, for those on Zoom, you have the choice at the bottom of your screen of floor, English or French. For those in the room, you can use the earpiece and select the desired channel.
I remind you that all comments should be addressed through the chair. For members in the room, if you wish to speak, please raise your hand. For members on Zoom, please use the “raise hand” function. The clerk and I will manage the speaking order as well as we can. We appreciate your patience and understanding in this regard.
I would now like to welcome our witnesses appearing in the first hour. With us today is the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, our Minister of National Revenue.
Welcome, Minister. I know you have with you many officials from the Canada Revenue Agency.
Before we get started with your opening remarks, Minister, I want to say thank you very much. In my riding of Mississauga East—Cooksville, we have a number of tax preparation clinics manned by volunteers, and with help from the ministry and with funding, those have gone a long way to helping many individuals do their tax preparation. Thank you for that.
The floor is yours.