I call the meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting 160 of the Standing Committee on Finance.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format. All witnesses have completed the required connection test in advance of the meeting.
I would now 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 you are participating in person or via Zoom, the clerk and I will manage the speaking order as best we can.
Pursuant to 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 like to welcome our witnesses.
With us today as individuals are lawyer Nathan Hume and barrister and solicitor Jeffrey Simser.
From the Business and Higher Education Roundtable, we have Matthew McKean, chief officer, research and development, and Valerie Walker, chief executive officer.
Welcome.
From the Canadian Gas Association, vice-president of strategy and delivery Paul Cheliak is joining us.
From École de technologie supérieure, we have Kathy Baig, director general and chief executive officer; and Éric Bosco, executive director of AdapT.
From Mortgage Professionals Canada, we have its president and chief executive officer, Lauren van den Berg.
Each of the witnesses will have up to five minutes for their opening remarks before we move to the members' questions. We will be starting with the individuals.
Nathan Hume, go ahead please.