I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 77 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development.
Today's meeting is being held in public and is taking place in a hybrid format pursuant to the Standing Orders. Therefore, members are attending in person in the room and remotely by using the Zoom application.
I would like to make a few comments for the benefit of members and witnesses.
Before speaking, please wait until I recognize you by name. For those participating by video conference, click on the microphone icon to activate your mike, and please do mute yourselves when you are not speaking. For those in the room, your microphone will be controlled by the proceedings and verification officer. You may speak in the official language of your choice.
Although this room is equipped with a powerful audio system, feedback events can occur. These can be extremely harmful to interpreters and cause serious injuries. The most common cause of sound feedback is an earpiece worn too close to a microphone.
I will remind you that all comments should be addressed through the chair.
With regard to a speaking list, the committee clerk and I will do the very best we possibly can to maintain a consolidated order of speaking for all members, whether they are participating virtually or in person.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee will proceed to a briefing on the situation in Israel and Gaza. I would now like to welcome our witnesses.
From the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, we are grateful to have with us Ms. Julie Sunday, assistant deputy minister, consular, security and emergency management; Ms. Ann Flanagan Whalen, director general, North Africa, Israel, West Bank/Gaza; and Mr. Sébastien Beaulieu, director general, emergency management and security division.
In addition, from the Department of Citizenship and Immigration, we have with us Ms. Jennifer MacIntyre, assistant deputy minister, international affairs and crisis response.
Should everyone be agreeable, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development will be allotted 10 minutes for its opening statement. The Department of Citizenship and Immigration has been invited, and they are here to answer any questions that may be posed by the members.
We will start off with the Department of Foreign Affairs.
You have 10 minutes for your opening statement.