We'll call this meeting to order.
This is meeting number 28 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics. I'd like to remind members that today's meeting will be televised and be available via the House of Commons website.
Pursuant to the order of reference of March 25, 2021, and the motion adopted by this committee on Monday, November 16, 2020, the committee is resuming its study on questions of conflict of interest and lobbying in relation to pandemic spending.
Today, of course, committee members will remember that the House motion stipulated that Ben Chin, the Prime Minister's senior adviser, be ordered to appear before this committee today. We understand that member of the Prime Minister's staff has been instructed not to comply with the House order.
Members will have received a letter [Technical difficulty—Editor] who has offered to substitute herself for the witnesses the House did prescribe. What I need from members is a decision with regard to whether or not they will consider this request.
I'll turn to Monsieur Fortin to begin. I see his hand is raised.
I have a speaking order that is growing here. It's Monsieur Fortin, followed by Mr. Angus, Mr. Barrett and Madame Shanahan.
I'll go to Monsieur Fortin.
The floor is yours.