This is the fifth meeting of the Standing Committee on Finance in the second session of the 40th Parliament.
This morning we have the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), a study on the financial priorities of the federal government.
We have two sessions here today. From 9 to 10 we have the Honourable John Baird.
Welcome, Minister. I believe you have three officials with you, who I will ask you to introduce in your opening presentation.
Minister, I know there are a lot of questions from members across the country about infrastructure. It's obviously a big issue with respect to the budget implementation act, which is being discussed in the House presently. So we'll ask you to make an opening statement of up to 10 minutes long, and then we'll go immediately to questions from members for about 45 to 50 minutes.
You may begin at any time. Welcome to the committee.