I call the meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 53 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health.
Today we will meet for two hours with witnesses for our study of children's health.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the House order of June 23, 2022.
I have a couple of comments for the benefit of our witnesses today.
For those who are participating on Zoom, you have interpretation available to you, and we know now that it is working. You have the choice at the bottom of your screen of either the floor, English or French. For those of you in the room, of course, you can select the desired channel.
Please don't take screenshots or photos of your screen. These proceedings will be made available on 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.
I would now like to welcome the witnesses who are with us this afternoon. We have Dr. Tracie Afifi, professor at the University of Manitoba, appearing by video conference. From the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, we have Ms. Carrie Foster, president-elect, and Lindsey Thomson, the director of public affairs; and from the Offord Centre for Child Studies, we have Dr. Stelios Georgiades, director, and McMaster Children's Hospital chair in autism and neurodevelopment. He's with us by video conference.
Thanks to all of the witnesses for being with us today.
Each of you has up to five minutes for your opening statement. We're going to begin with Dr. Afifi.
Welcome to the committee. You now have the floor.