I call this meeting to order.
This is meeting number 127 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Thursday, September 21, 2023, the committee is meeting to discuss the policy decisions and market forces that have led to increases in the cost of buying or renting a home in Canada.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to Standing Order 15.1. Members are attending in person in the room and remotely using the Zoom application.
I would like to make a few comments for the benefit of members.
Although this room is equipped with a powerful audio system, feedback events can occur. These can be extremely harmful to the interpreters and can cause serious injuries. The most common cause of sound feedback is an earpiece worn too close to the microphone. We therefore ask all participants to exercise a high degree of caution when handling the earpieces, especially when your microphone or your neighbour's microphone is turned on. In order to prevent incidents and safeguard the hearing health of the interpreters, I invite participants to ensure that they speak into the microphone into which their headset is plugged and to avoid manipulating the earbuds by placing them on the table away from the microphone when they are not in use.
As a reminder, all comments should be addressed through the chair. For members in the room, if you wish to speak, please raise your hand. For members on Zoom, please use the “raise hand” function. The clerk and I will manage the speaking order as best we can. We appreciate your patience and understanding in this regard.
Before I introduce the witnesses, I want to thank them for accommodating the time today, because we had a vote that ate into some of the time for our meeting. I understand you'll be with us until we transition to the second panel, which will be about 12:20 or 12:25. Thank you for that.
With us today, we have, from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, its executive director of policy and public affairs, Mathieu Bélanger. Welcome.
From the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada, we have Commissioner Judith Robertson. Welcome, Commissioner.
We also have the deputy commissioner of supervision and enforcement, Frank Lofranco. Welcome.
At this time, you will have an opportunity for opening statements, and then members will have their opportunity to ask you questions.
Go ahead, Commissioner.