I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 14 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans.
I do want to start by acknowledging that we are gathered on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people, and to express gratitude that we're able to do the important work of this committee on lands they've stewarded since time immemorial.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee is meeting to hear from the Office of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development on its report entitled “Establishing Marine Protected Areas” and to hear from the three audited organizations in this report.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format. Pursuant to the Standing Orders, members are attending in person and remotely using the Zoom application.
Before we continue, I would like to ask all in-person participants to consult the guidelines written on the cards on the table. These measures are in place to help prevent audio and feedback incidents and to protect the health and safety of all participants, but particularly the interpreters. You'll also notice a QR code on the card, which links to a short awareness video.
Pursuant to the routine motions, I'd like to advise committee members that all witnesses appearing virtually today have successfully conducted their required technical testing.
I would like to make a few comments for the benefits of the 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're not speaking.
For interpretation, those on Zoom have a choice at the bottom of the screen: floor, English or French. Those in the room can use the earpiece and select the desired channel.
As a reminder, all comments should be addressed through the chair.
Members in the room who wish to speak, please raise your hand. 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.
With that, I would like to welcome our witnesses. I won't name all 11 officials with their titles, but I would like to start by welcoming Jerry V. DeMarco, commissioner of the environment and sustainable development since 2021; and the other officials from the Office of the Auditor General.
We also have officials from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, from the Department of the Environment and Climate Change, and from the Parks Canada Agency.
As we did during the commissioner's last appearance, in February 2024, we will begin with opening remarks from each organization, which will be five minutes each. We will start with Mr. DeMarco.
Mr. DeMarco, the floor is yours.