To those who are here, you are more than welcome and in fact are encouraged to stay. We're going to hear opening statements from the next panel. Then there will be an opportunity for members of Parliament to question anyone they wish to from either of the panels. If you could do that, we would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for your patience.
We will allow for the next panel to get themselves set up. I would ask them to go ahead and do that now.
Colleagues, I don't actually want to suspend the meeting. I think we can use the time productively. There is a housekeeping matter that I want to bring to your attention. That is simply on the matter of study budgets. You would have received from the clerk two study budgets for upcoming studies. I'm hoping we can dispense with them rather quickly.
One is in connection with the very study we're looking at now. The amount requested for witness expenses, working meals and headsets is $8,250. That's been circulated.
As you know, colleagues, this is essentially a pro forma amount that probably will not reflect what will actually be spent. It is simply to allot those funds so that whatever expenses are incurred in the conduct of this study will be available to us. The first is in connection with this particular study on the Department of Health's regulatory changes on natural health products.
Is there any discussion on that proposed budget?
Dr. Ellis, go ahead.