I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 15 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with disabilities.
Pursuant to the orders of reference of April 11, 2020 and May 26, 2020, this committee is resuming its study of the government response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pursuant to the motion adopted by the House on May 26, 2020, the committee may continue to sit virtually until Monday, September 21, 2020 to consider matters related to the COVID-19 pandemic and other matters.
Certain limitations on the virtual committee meetings held until now are now removed. As just mentioned, the committee is now able to consider other matters, and, in addition to receiving evidence, the committee may also consider motions, as we normally do. As stipulated in the latest order of reference from the House, all motions shall be decided by a recorded vote.
Today's meeting is taking place by video conference, and the proceedings will be made available via the House of Commons website. The webcast will always show the person speaking rather than the entirety of the committee.
Before speaking, please wait until I recognize you by name. When you are ready to speak, please click on the microphone to activate your mike.
Before I get started, and this is especially for the witnesses who intend to present in both official languages, please ensure that the language channel you are speaking on is turned on at the time you are speaking. If you switch from English to French, please also switch the channel from English to French. It helps with the translation.
I would now like to thank the witnesses for joining us today. With us today we have, from the Canadian Labour Congress, Hassan Yussuff, president, and Emily Norgang, economist, social and economic policy. From the Christian Labour Association of Canada, we have Wayne Prins, executive director.
Mr. Yussuff, please proceed with your opening remarks. You have 10 minutes, sir.