I call the meeting to order.
Thank you all for coming. Thank you to the witnesses. Welcome back for the fall session and the beginning of our pre-budget consultations for budget 2019.
There are some new members here as well, so there is a little different makeup to the committee. We will have a busy five weeks as we hear from a pretty intensive assembly of witnesses in 10 cities and then get to finalizing our report.
I'd like to welcome the first group of witnesses. We're operating under Standing Order 83.1, pre-budget consultations in advance of the 2019 budget. I know all of the witnesses here have presented submissions, which the committee members have. You will see them looking at your briefs as we go through your presentations.
Welcome again, witnesses. We'll start with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.
Mr. Mains, go ahead. Welcome.