I'd like to call the meeting of the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development to order. This is meeting number 78 continuing our study on habitat conservation.
We're pleased to have with us today, from the Mining Association of Canada, Mr. Pierre Gratton, president and chief executive officer, and Mr. Ben Chalmers, vice-president of sustainable development. From the Canadian Electricity Association we also have Mr. Jim Burpee, president and chief executive officer, and Dan Gibson, senior environment scientist, hydro environment division, at Ontario Power Generation. From the Canadian Wildlife Federation we have Mr. Rick Bates, executive director, and James Page, manager, species at risk program. From the Forest Products Association of Canada we have Mark Hubert, vice-president, environmental leadership, and Kate Lindsay, advisor, conservation biology.
Welcome to our witnesses. I know that some of you also have support staff behind you. We will open with 10-minute statements from each of the groups, and following that each of our committee members will have questions to ask. They will direct the questions to specific witnesses.
W e will begin with the Mining Association of Canada, Mr. Pierre Gratton and Mr. Ben Chalmers. I understand that you'll be splitting your time between you.
Please proceed.