I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 36 of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage.
Before we begin, I would ask all in-person participants to read the guidelines written on the updated cards on the table in front of you. These measures are in place to help prevent feedback incidents and to protect the health and safety of all participants, including our esteemed interpreters. You will notice that there's a QR code on the card. It links to a short awareness video.
Pursuant to Standing Order 81(4), the committee commenced consideration of the main estimates 2026-27: vote 1 under Canada Council for the Arts; votes 1, 5 and 10 under Canadian Broadcasting Corporation; vote 1 under Canadian Museum for Human Rights; vote 1 under Canadian Museum of History; vote 1 under Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21; vote 1 under Canadian Museum of Nature; vote 1 under Canadian Race Relations Foundation; vote 1 under Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission; votes 1 and 5 under Department of Canadian Heritage; votes 1 and 5 under Library and Archives of Canada; vote 1 under National Arts Centre Corporation; vote 1 under National Film Board; votes 1 and 5 under National Gallery of Canada; vote 1 under National Museum of Science and Technology; vote 1 under Telefilm Canada; vote 1 under The National Battlefields Commission; referred to the committee on Thursday, February 26, 2026.
We will vote on those main estimates at the end of today's meeting.
We have with us today, for the first hour, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages.
Also with us are officials, who will stay for the second hour. We have Francis Bilodeau, deputy minister; Andrew Brown, associate deputy minister; Joëlle Montminy, senior assistant deputy minister, cultural affairs; Blair McMurren, associate assistant deputy minister, cultural affairs; and Véronique Côté, chief financial officer.
Welcome to everyone. Thank you for being here with us today.
We will begin with an opening statement from the minister.
Should you wish to take them, five minutes are yours, starting now.