Welcome. We are now resuming meeting number 34 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the Standing Orders. I would like to remind participants of the following points: Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. For those participating by video conference, click on the microphone icon to activate your mic and please mute yourself when you are not speaking.
At the bottom of the screen, you can select the appropriate channel for interpretation: floor, English or French. I remind you that all comments should be addressed through the chair. For members in the room, if you wish to speak, please raise your hand. For members on Zoom, please use the “raise hand” function. The clerk and I will manage the speaking order as best we can, and we appreciate your patience and understanding in this regard. Even though we are experiencing some difficulties with the PVO console and there might be a little delay, please wait for the red light to be turned on, on the microphone, before you start speaking.
Before we begin, I will say that over the past several weeks, the committee has been unable to move forward because of the ongoing discussions in the committee. As a result, we have not been able to begin a study on the rise of HIV infections, an important public health issue.
As chair, I have been fair and impartial. I have consistently recognized members who wish to speak and have ensured that all parties have had every opportunity to make their views known. The fact that the overwhelming majority of the interventions during this period have come from the Conservative members speaks for itself.
As we had six suspensions at our last meeting, I had the implied consent from the majority of members and majority of parties to adjourn the meeting, but two Conservative members ultimately wanted another suspension.