I'd like to call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 107 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development.
Before we begin, I'd like to remind all members and witnesses in the room of the following important preventive measures.
To prevent disruptive and potentially harmful audio feedback incidents that can cause injuries, all in-person participants are reminded to keep their earpieces away from all microphones at all times. All earpieces have been replaced by a model that greatly reduces the probability of audio feedback. The new earpieces are black in colour, whereas the former earpieces were grey.
When you are not using your earpiece, please place it face down on the middle of the sticker for this purpose, which you will find on the table. Please consult the cards on the table for guidelines to prevent audio feedback incidents. The room layout has been adjusted to increase the distance between microphones and to reduce the chances of feedback from an ambient earpiece.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format. I've been assured by the clerk that they have been doing the testing beforehand for connectivity. In accordance with the committee's routine motion concerning connection tests for witnesses, everything has been undertaken, and I'm happy to advise everyone that all is good.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Monday, January 29, 2024, the committee will resume its study of Canada's approach to Africa.
I'd now like to welcome our witnesses.
From the Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale, we have Mr. Denis Côté, policy analyst. From the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, we have Mr. Andy Harrington, who is executive director. For the Centre for International Studies and Cooperation, we're happy to have Mr. Philippe Dongier, who is here in person, and he serves as executive director.
Each of you will be provided five minutes for your opening remarks, after which we will proceed with questions from the members. I would ask all witnesses to pay attention. Once you're getting close to your time limit, I will hold this up, which means you have to wrap it up within 10 to 15 seconds. That applies not only when you're doing your opening remarks but also when questions are posed by the members.
All of that having been explained, we will now commence with the witnesses. We will start off with Mr. Côté.
Mr. Côté, the floor is yours. You have five minutes for your opening remarks.