Good morning, everyone. Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), we have our study of Canada's response to the violence, religious persecution and dislocation caused by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.
We'll get started. I think everyone can see the camera here. Today we are being recorded by CTV, so we'll have them for the duration of the meeting.
I want welcome our witnesses today from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development. Starting on my left, we have Leslie Norton, who is the director general for international humanitarian assistance. Then we have Mark Gwozdecky, who is the director general of the Middle East and Maghreb. We have Andrew Bennett, who is the ambassador for the Office of Religious Freedom, and we have Donica Pottie, who is the director of the Conflict Policy and Security Coherence Secretariat.
Welcome. It's nice to have you here.
We're going to get started. I believe we just have opening remarks from you, Mr. Gwozdecky. Let's start with your opening remarks and then we'll go around the room over the next hour and a half or so, asking questions and going back and forth between opposition and government.
I'm going to turn the floor over to you, sir. We look forward to your opening statement.