I'd like to call to order this meeting of the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development.
We have with us today witnesses from Ducks Unlimited Canada: Mr. George Siekaniec, Mr. Jim Brennan, and Karla Guyn. We welcome you here in person to share with us your thoughts on wetland conservation.
As well, appearing by video conference from Olds, Alberta, we have Mr. Abiola, the director of applied research and the lead scientist.
Mr. Abiola, we'll have you proceed first. I understand you've presented a written copy of your comments. However, because your comments are in English only, we're not able to distribute them to the committee. They will, however, be translated and made available to the committee members at a later date.
I would encourage you to keep your opening comments to about 10 minutes. This will give time for the other witnesses to give their comments and then each of our committee members to ask questions.
With that, Mr. Abiola, would you please proceed.