I will call the meeting to order. We have quorum.
I want to thank the witnesses for coming forward.
I also want to remind the committee that we have extended our panel somewhat. We had originally had five, and now we have seven. We've asked each one to limit their comments to seven minutes maximum; please don't feel compelled to use all seven minutes. Nonetheless, we'll try to move it along as quickly as possible.
I would also remind the committee that bells will start at 5:15 for a 5:30 vote. That's going to cut our time a little bit. I also want to leave five or ten minutes at the end for discussion with regard to our last meeting and the dialogue I had with the chair of the immigration committee with regard to Bill C-50.
With that, we will move right along. We want to first of all focus our attention on Bill C-50. That's what our witnesses are here to discuss with us.
First up is David Stewart-Patterson of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives. I'll introduce the others as we yield them the floor.
Mr. Stewart-Patterson, the floor is yours for seven minutes.