I now call the meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 57 of the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted on Monday, October 3, 2022, the committee is resuming its study on the experience of women veterans.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format pursuant to the order made on June 23, 2022. Witnesses and members are attending in person in the room and remotely using the Zoom application.
For interpretation for those on Zoom, I would like to remind you that you have the choice, at the bottom of your screen, of floor, English or French. All comments should be addressed through the chair.
In accordance with our routine motion on connection tests, I wish to inform the committee that the witnesses have completed the required tests before the meeting.
Before welcoming our witnesses, I'd like to give you a warning. We will be discussing experiences related to mental health. This can be a trigger for people here with us, the viewers, members of the committee and their staff who have had similar experiences. If you feel distressed or if you need assistance, please let the clerk know.
I would like to provide you this trigger warning. We may be discussing experiences related to general health and mental health. This may be triggering to viewers and members or staff with similar experiences, so do not hesitate to advise the clerk.
Before I welcome our witnesses for this meeting, I would like to hear what the committee members think about how this meeting will unfold, given that we have had to take part in several votes in the House.
On the first panel of witnesses, Godfrey Jerry, from Manulife Financial, has to leave at 5 p.m. On the second panel, Steven Harris, who is here in person, has to leave at 6 p.m. at the latest. In addition, I know that members of the committee, including Mr. Desilets and Mr. Miao, wish to leave the meeting at 5:45 p.m.
I propose to committee members that we invite all the witnesses in one panel. That way, when Mr. Jerry leaves, there shouldn't be too many problems. We could direct our first questions to Mr. Jerry and then to Mr. Harris.
So I would like to hear what the members have to say before inviting the witnesses. What do you think?
Go ahead, Mr. Desilets.