I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 26 of the House of the Commons Standing Committee on Health.
We are meeting for two hours today with witnesses for our study on the emergency situation facing Canadians in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Today's meeting's themes are long COVID and COVID therapeutics.
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 the proceedings.
I have a couple of comments for the benefit of witnesses. Interpretation is available. You have the choice at the bottom of your screen of floor, English or French. When you're not speaking, please ensure that your mike is muted. Please don't take screenshots or pictures of your screen. All of the proceedings will be made available on the House of Commons website.
We are now ready to proceed with opening remarks.
I understand that one of our witnesses is not yet with us, but is working through some technical difficulties and will join shortly. That is Dr. Eric Arts, a professor at the department of microbiology and immunology at the University of Western Ontario. We have back with us today, Dr. Emilia Liana Falcone, director, post-COVID-19 research clinic, Montreal Clinical Research Institute, and attending physician, infectious diseases, Centre Hospitalier de I'Université de Montréal. Also with us is Dr. Kelly O'Brien, associate professor, department of physical therapy, University of Toronto, and co-director of the rehabilitation science research network for COVID at the U of T. Representing the COVID Long-Haulers Support Group Canada, we have Susie Goulding, the founder.
Thank you all for being here today. The length of your opening statement should be five minutes or less.
We're going to start with Dr. Falcone.
Welcome back. You have the floor.