I call the meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 157 of the Standing Committee on Finance.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format. All witnesses have completed the required connection tests in advance of the meeting.
I'd like to remind participants of the following points. Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. All comments should be addressed through the chair. Members, please raise your hand if you wish to speak, whether participating in person or via Zoom. The clerk and I will manage the speaking order as best we can.
Today, pursuant to the Standing Order 83(1) and the motion adopted by the committee on Thursday, September 26, 2024, the committee is resuming its study on the pre-budget consultations in advance of the 2025 budget.
I'd now like to welcome our witnesses.
As an individual, no stranger to this committee, we have associate professor from the Sprott School of Business from Carleton University, Ian Lee. From the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence, we have its director of policy and government relations, James Janeiro. Kelly Paleczny, who is the chair of the Canadian Urban Transit Association, is with us. From the Festivals and Major Events Canada, we have executive director Martin Roy. From the Grain Growers of Canada, chair Andre Harpe and executive director Kyle Larkin are with us.
From Green Budget Coalition we have a number of people with us: manager Andrew Van Iterson; manager, buildings, Pembina Institute, Jessica McIlroy; lead specialist, government relations, World Wildlife Fund-Canada, Will Bulmer; and policy strategist for government relations, Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative Canada, Sarah Palmer.
Each of our witnesses will have up to five minutes to deliver their opening remarks before we proceed to the members' questions.
We will start with Professor Ian Lee, please.