Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), our study on the role of the private sector in achieving Canada's international development interests will commence.
I want to thank all of our witnesses for being here today.
We have with us Ben Chalmers, vice-president for sustainable development, and Pierre Gratton, president and chief executive officer, from the Mining Association of Canada. I want to thank you gentlemen for being here.
We also have with us Lucien Royer, national director, and Ken Georgetti, president, from the Canadian Labour Congress. Welcome, gentlemen. Thank you very much.
We also have with us Karin Lissakers, who is with the Revenue Watch Institute.
I thank all of you for being here today.
We will get all of your opening statements, and then we'll follow up with some questions over the next couple of hours. Thank you.
Why don't we start with the Mining Association of Canada? I will turn the floor over to Mr. Gratton.