I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 103 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans.
This meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the Standing Orders.
Before I proceed, I would like to make a few comments for the benefit of witnesses and members. Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. For those participating by video conference, click on the microphone icon to activate your mic, and please mute yourself when you are not speaking. For interpretation for those on Zoom, you have the choice, at the bottom of your screen, of floor, English or French. For those in the room, you can use the earpiece and select the desired channel. Please address all comments through the chair.
Before we proceed, I simply want to remind members to be very careful when handling the earpieces, especially when your microphone or your neighbour's microphone is turned on. Earpieces placed too close to a microphone are one of the most common causes of sound feedback, which is extremely harmful to interpreters and causes serious injuries.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted on February 27, 2024, the committee is studying the subject matter of supplementary estimates (C).
On our first panel today, we are welcoming back to committee the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, accompanied by Annette Gibbons, deputy minister; and Luc Robitaille, director general, budget planning and financial management. From the Canadian Coast Guard, we have Mr. Mario Pelletier, commissioner.
Thank you, Minister, for taking the time to appear today. You will have five minutes or less for your opening statement. The floor is yours.