Welcome to meeting number 33 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the House order of January 25, 2021. 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.
Today, we are going to receive a briefing from the 2014 Centennial Flame Research Award recipient. The committee grants the Centennial Flame Research Award to a Canadian with a disability to enable them to conduct research and prepare a report on the contributions of one or more persons with disabilities to the public life of Canada or the activities of Parliament. This award is presented in accordance with the Centennial Flame Research Award Act.
I'm very pleased to welcome Selma Kouidri, the 2014 award recipient, to begin our discussion with five minutes of opening remarks followed by a round of questions.
For your benefit, Ms. Kouidri, I would like to make a few additional comments. I expect that you are probably already aware of these things. First, interpretation at the video conference is available. You have the choice at the bottom of your screen of “floor”, “English” or “French”. When you're speaking, please speak slowly and clearly, and when you're not speaking, your mike should be on mute.
With that, welcome to the committee. It's a pleasure to have you with us. You have the floor for five minutes.