I call this meeting to order.
I'd like to take the opportunity this morning to welcome our guests. We have Ruth Salmon, the executive director of the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance, with Clare Backman from Marine Harvest Canada, a familiar face at the table here, joining her this morning.
Thank you very much for coming to appear before our committee this morning. We look forward to hearing from you.
As you know, we've been studying aquaculture on the west coast and its impact on the wild Pacific salmon. I'm sure you've been following the committee's proceedings carefully and closely.
Generally, the way our committee works is that we allow ten minutes for presentations and then move into questions and answers. There are certain time constraints around our members. They try to pack as many questions as they can into that timeframe, and some go beyond. I try to discourage that as much as possible, in the interest of fairness to all. But I tend to be a little lenient, with our guests more than with our members.
You'll hear a little beeping noise up here. That's the timer. I'd ask you, if you hear that, to try to bring your thoughts to a conclusion as soon as possible following hearing those alarm sounds.
If you want to make your opening comments, Ruth, you can please proceed.