I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 46 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health.
Today we will meet for two hours to consider the supplementary estimates (B).
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format pursuant to the House order of June 23, 2022.
I will remind you that screenshots or taking photos of your screen of those participating virtually is not permitted.
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.
Colleagues, could I have your attention? Once we get to 12 o'clock you're going to regret this extra couple of minutes of chatter, because you're going to want to question the ministers, I'm sure.
Okay. I've just gone through the preliminary remarks and I have indicated that witnesses have completed the required connection tests.
I would now like to welcome the ministers who are joining us for the first hour: the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health; and the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health.
They are joined by the following officials, who will stay with us for the entire meeting: from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Philippe Morel, vice-president of operations, by video conference; from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Dr. Michael Strong, also by video conference; from the Department of Health, Dr. Stephen Lucas, deputy minister, Heather Jeffrey, associate deputy minister, and Dr. Supriya Sharma, chief medical adviser; and from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Dr. Harpreet Kochhar, president, and Dr. Howard Njoo, deputy chief public health officer and interim vice-president, infectious disease prevention and control branch.
Thanks to all of you for taking the time to be with us today.
We're going to begin with opening remarks from each minister.
Minister Duclos, if you would like to begin, you have the floor for five minutes or less. Welcome to the committee.