We'll call the meeting to order.
We want to thank the witnesses for coming forward. Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), we are studying direct assistance measures and the fiscal environment for the forestry and manufacturing sectors, so it's great to have you here with us to be able to share your input with regard to that.
I believe we have short statements from two or maybe three of you. We'll open with your short statements, and then we'll go into a question and answer period and process.
Just to let the committee know, I'll be leaving the committee for a short half-hour and we will have the deputy chair take my place for that period of time. I know everything will go fine during that period of time, so don't be alarmed.
At any rate, with that we will start.
Mr. Avrim Lazar, you will go first, and then we'll go to Jayson Myers and Pierre Laliberté. It's great to have all three of you here.