Welcome, everyone. Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on October 23, 2020, the committee resumes its study of the challenges and issues faced by the arts, culture, heritage and sports sectors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We have three witnesses to start. Before I do, I would just like to point something out for my colleagues both here and on Zoom. The official end of this meeting is one o'clock, eastern time. However, anticipate that being stretched by possibly up to 10 minutes. I say that because in the second hour we are going to experience undoubtedly some technical issues. I don't want to shortchange the second hour because of those issues, so from here going forward, meaning the next few meetings especially about this study, anticipate up to a 10-minute extension. Given the technical situations, I think that's only fair to our witnesses and to you, colleagues as well, and I hope you don't mind. Please plan accordingly in case you want to schedule meetings just after that.
That being said, we have with us from Catherine C. Cole & Associates, Catherine Cole, principal consultant.
We also welcome Mr. Clément Turgeon Thériault, executive director of the Regroupement des festivals régionaux artistiques indépendants, and Ms. Julie-Anne Richard, executive director of the Réseau indépendant des diffuseurs d'événements artistiques unis.
To our panellists, you get up to five minutes.