I call the meeting to order. This is our very first meeting on thalidomide.
We welcome our guests. We apologize for being late, especially to our guests on teleconference. You're looking very bright. We are glad you're with us. I'm sure we'll learn a lot about this issue today.
From Crawford, our guests today are Mr. Michael Mooney, vice-president, Class Action Services, and Brenda Weiss, project manager, thalidomide survivor compensation program.
From the Department of Health, we have Cindy Moriarty, executive director of health programs and strategic initiatives, and Theressa Bagnall, senior manager of program development at the office of grants and contributions services and innovation.
As individuals, by video conference, we have Dr. Martin Johnson, former director of the United Kingdom Thalidomide Trust, and Dr. Neil Vargesson, senior lecturer at the school of medicine, medical sciences and nutrition, in the institute of medical sciences, University of Aberdeen.
We're going to open with 10-minute remarks by each witness: Crawford, then the Department of Health, and then the individuals.
Mr. Mooney, you have 10 minutes.