I call this meeting to order. Welcome to meeting number 15 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health.
Today we're going to meet for two hours to hear from witnesses for our study of Canada's health workforce.
Before I introduce today's witnesses, I have a few regular reminders for hybrid meetings. Today’s meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the House order of November 25, 2021. Per the directive of the Board of Internal Economy on March 10, 2022, all those attending the meeting in person must wear a mask, except for members who are at their place during proceedings.
I have a few comments for the benefit of 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 mike. Please mute yourself when you are not speaking. For interpretation for those on Zoom, you have the choice at the bottom of your screen of the floor, English or French. For those in the room, you can use the earpiece to select the desired channel. Please don't take any screenshots or photos. That isn't permitted. The proceedings today will be made available via the House of Commons website.
In accordance with our routine motion, I'm informing the committee that all witnesses have completed the required connection tests in advance of the meeting.
We are very pleased to welcome our witnesses here today. Thank you for your patience while we fulfilled our democratic duty. That did cause a bit of a delay to our meeting, so thank you for sticking with us. We'll still have the full two hours with you.
We have with us today, as an individual, Dr. Hugh Maguire, head of psychiatry, Nova Scotia northern zone, and assistant professor at Dalhousie University.
We are also hearing from the representative for the Association des chirurgiens cardiovasculaires et thoraciques du Québec, Dr. Louis P. Perrault, president and cardiac surgeon.
From the Canadian Pharmacists Association, we have Dr. Danielle Paes, chief pharmacist officer; from the College of Family Physicians of Canada, Dr. Brady Bouchard, president, and Dr. Francine Lemire, executive director and chief executive officer; from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Dr. Guylaine Lefebvre, executive director, membership engagement and programs; and from Speech-Language and Audiology Canada, we have Dawn Wilson, chief executive officer, and Susan Rvachew, full professor.
Thank you all for taking the time to appear today.
We're going to begin with opening remarks in the order that our guests appear on the notice of meeting. We're going to start with Dr. Maguire for his opening remarks.
You have five minutes, Dr. Maguire. Welcome to the committee. You have the floor.