I call this meeting to order. This is meeting number 67 of the Standing Committee on Finance. Our orders of the day are pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) continuing with our study on the Canadian renminbi trading centre.
We are very pleased to have three witnesses with us here this morning.
With the topic as well I'm reminded by a colleague we should note that it is, I think, the first day of Chinese New Year, the Year of the Goat. I want to wish a happy new year to all of you.
First, from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, we have Mr. Hendrik Brakel, senior director, economic, financial, and tax policy. Welcome to the committee. We have from the Canada China Business Council, the president, Mr. Peter Harder, who had a very distinguished career with Foreign Affairs, Industry Canada, and other departments within the government.
We have, and we want to thank this gentleman very much for appearing at a very early hour from British Columbia, by video conference from Victoria from the British Columbia's Ministry of Finance, Mr. Jim Hopkins, the assistant deputy minister.
Thank you very much for appearing. What time is it there in British Columbia now?