Since it's a little past 3:30 p.m., I want to bring this standing committee meeting to order.
I want to start off by welcoming the very distinguished guest that we have, the secretary general of the OAS, which is an important multilateral organization that we are a partner with.
Mr. Almagro is going to take this opportunity to give us some opening remarks. We first met when I was in Mexico last week, and we feel as though we've known each other for years.
I want to welcome the secretary general to Canada. Mr. Almagro, it's a great honour and pleasure to receive you.
As is the normal practice in the committee, we will let our guest make some opening comments, and then we'll get into some questions.
I'm going to turn the floor over to the secretary general and allow him to say a few words.