Ladies and gentlemen, I call this meeting to order.
Before I begin, on behalf of our colleague Anita Vandenbeld, I would like to publicize that she will be hosting an all-party democracy caucus meeting with the EU commissioner for democracy, rule of law and justice, Michael McGrath. That will be at 6 p.m. in room 330 Wellington.
With that out of the way, I call the meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number eight 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.
Members are attending in person in the room and remotely using the Zoom application.
Before we continue, I'd like to ask all in-person participants to consult the guidelines written on the cards on the table. These measures are in place to protect the safety and health of participants, including the interpreters. You'll also notice a QR code on the card that links to a short awareness video.
I'd like to make a few comments for the benefit of the witnesses and members.
Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. For those participating by video conference, click on the microphone icon to activate your mic, and please mute yourself when you are not speaking.
All comments should addressed through the chair.
For members in the room, if you wish to speak, please raise your hand. For members on Zoom, please use the “raise hand” function. The clerk and I will manage the speaking order as best we can, and we appreciate your patience and understanding in this regard.
Last Tuesday, an informal meeting was held jointly with our colleagues from the Standing Committee on Finance and the Standing Committee on Industry to meet with the defence ministers of Germany and Norway and a few parliamentarians. A few of our members attended the meeting. The cost of hospitality is being shared among the three committees. Do I have the members' approval for our committee to assume one-third of the total cost of that event?