I'd like to call the meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 83 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development. Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the Standing Orders; therefore, members are attending in person in the room, as well as remotely using the Zoom application.
I'd like to make a few comments for the benefit of the members and our 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 mute yourself when you are not speaking. 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 the interpreters and can cause serious injuries. The most common cause of sound feedback, as I like to remind everyone, is an earpiece worn too close to a microphone.
With regard to a speaking list, the committee clerk and I will do our best to maintain a consolidated order of speaking for all members, whether they are participating virtually or in person.
In accordance with the committee's routine motion concerning connection tests for witnesses, I am informing the committee that all witnesses appearing virtually have completed the required connection tests in advance of the meeting.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motions adopted by the committee on Monday, January 31, 2022, and Tuesday, May 30, 2023, the committee resumes its study of the situation at the Russia-Ukraine border and implications for peace and security.
I'd now like to welcome our witnesses. We have Professor Jennifer Clapp from the University of Waterloo. She previously appeared before us, but we, regrettably, had connectivity problems. We also have Professor Wood from Western University. It's good to see you in person, Professor. Again, our apologies for the connectivity problems two weeks ago.
In addition to that, we have Mr. Jacob Irving, who is here in person. Mr. Irving is the president and chief executive officer of the Energy Council of Canada. Last, but certainly not least, we're also grateful to have, from the International Institute for Sustainable Development, Ms. Anna Ackermann, a policy analyst with the green reconstruction of Ukraine program.
We will start with the two witnesses who are here in person. Each of you will be provided with five minutes for your opening remarks. Then we will go to the members for questions.
If you see me holding this up, that means you are out of time and we ask that you wrap things up within 15 to 20 seconds. That applies not only to your opening remarks but also to the questions that the members will put to you.
All of that having been said, we will start off with Professor Wood.
The floor is yours. You have five minutes, sir.