I call the meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number nine of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health. Today, we're meeting for two hours to hear from witnesses for our study of the emergency situation facing Canadians in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before I introduce today’s witnesses, there are a few regular reminders for hybrid meetings.
Today’s meeting will be taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the House order of November 25, 2021. Members are attending in person in the room and remotely, using the Zoom application. I think all the members are or will soon be in the room, and the only people on Zoom are the witnesses. I would like to take this opportunity to remind the people who are on Zoom that the taking of screenshots or photos of your screen is not permitted.
The proceedings will be made available on the House of Commons website.
All health protocols prescribed by the public health authorities and the directive of the Board of Internal Economy of October 19, 2021, will be observed and respected.
Before we get to our witnesses today, I'm informed that we have a couple of new members in the room. I would like to welcome Mr. Barrett, who replaces Mr. Berthold, and Ms. Goodridge, who replaces Ms. Kramp-Neuman. I appreciate the time and the work that the outgoing members have contributed to the committee, and I have every confidence that those shoes will be amply filled by their replacements.
However, Mr. Berthold's departure means that we are left with a vacancy in the first vice-chair role. Pursuant to Standing Order 106(2), the first vice-chair must be a member of the official opposition. I am now prepared to receive motions for the first vice-chair.
Go ahead, Mr. Lake.