I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 119 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health.
Before we begin, I'd like to ask all members and other in-person participants to consult the cards on the table for guidelines on how to prevent audio feedback incidents.
Please take note of the following preventative measures in place to protect the health and safety of all participants, including the interpreters. Use only a black, approved earpiece. The former grey earpieces must no longer be used. Keep your earpiece away from all microphones at all times. When you're not using your earpiece, place it face down on the sticker placed on the table for this purpose.
Thank you all for your co-operation.
In accordance with our routine motion, I am informing the committee that all remote participants have completed the required connection tests in advance of the meeting. We still have two people online who have some connection problems, but we're going to proceed with the meeting in any event and hope that this can be resolved by the time they are called upon to speak. We have some challenges with Dr. Powlowski and Ms. Sidhu. As I said, hopefully we will be able to get this resolved so that they can fully participate.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted on November 8, 2023, the committee is resuming its study of the opioid epidemic and toxic drug crisis in Canada.
Before I welcome our panel of witnesses, I note that you are all participating by video conference. If you haven't already been briefed, simultaneous translation is available. At the bottom of your screen, you can choose floor, English or French to hear what's taking place in the language of your choice.
I'd like to welcome our panel of witnesses.
We have with us appearing as individuals Dr. Paxton Bach, clinical assistant professor, University of British Columbia; and Dr. Bonnie Henry, British Columbia provincial health officer. From Direction régionale de santé publique de Montréal are Dr. Mylène Drouin, regional public health director; and Dr. Carole Morissette, lead physician, harm reduction and overdose prevention. Representing the Oxford House Foundation is Earl Thiessen, executive director.
Thank you to all of our witnesses for being here.
We're going to proceed now with rounds of opening statements in the order listed on the notice of meeting. You will have five minutes.
Dr. Bach, welcome to the committee. You have the floor.