Mr. Chair, thank you very much for welcoming me to this very important committee that is conducting such a crucial study.
The witnesses in this first panel described a very troubling situation with respect to the climate crisis that is unfolding. The year 2023 was the hottest year on record, and it unfortunately had a lot of consequences. I'm thinking of droughts, floods and forest fires, elsewhere and here in Quebec and Canada.
Some people have said that the summer of 2023 was perhaps the worst in recent years. Unfortunately, many experts tell us that it is probably the best in the next 50 years. That is not reassuring to us by any means, whether it be for the most vulnerable populations or for agriculture.
Lorra Hines, you have experience in Canada, Great Britain and Iceland. You have attended a number of international conferences, such as the United Nations water conference.
In your opinion, or from what you've seen or heard, how is Canada presented in the water sector internationally?
In other words, what is our reputation?