We will call the meeting to order.
Welcome to the first panel of meeting number 38 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance. Pursuant to the order of reference from the House, we are meeting on the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today’s meeting is taking place by video conference, and the proceedings will be made available via the House of Commons website.
With that, I would like to welcome all our witnesses. We have with us a number of bank economists and others today. We really appreciate your appearance. We have had some interesting discussions over the last five or six weeks on the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges that are ahead.
I would ask people to keep their remarks to about five minutes, if they could. It will allow more time for questions.
We will start with Scotiabank and Jean-François Perrault, chief economist.
Mr. Perrault, the floor is yours. Welcome.