Good afternoon, committee members. I will call the meeting to order.
The clerk has advised that we have a quorum and that those appearing virtually have been sound-tested and are good.
Welcome to meeting number 108 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 Standing Orders. Members are attending in person in the room and virtually using Zoom.
I would like to make a few comments, primarily for the benefit of the witnesses who are new to us.
Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. For those participating by video conference, click on the microphone icon to activate your microphone, and please mute yourself when you're not speaking.
You can choose to speak in the official language of your choice.
In the room, interpretation services are available by using the headset and selecting the language of your choice. For those here virtually, please select the globe icon at the bottom of your screen to choose the language of your choice.
If there is a breakdown in interpretation services, please get my attention. We'll suspend while it is being corrected.
For those in the room, please make sure your earpiece is not close to the microphone, because it will create popping, which can be harmful to the interpreters.
Please direct any questions you may have through the chair. To get my attention, please raise your hand. For those appearing virtually, use the “raise hand” icon at the bottom of your screen.
Pursuant to the order of reference of Tuesday, February 27, 2024, the committee is continuing its study on Bill C-58, an act to amend the Canada Labour Code and the Canada Industrial Relations Board Regulations, 2012.
Appearing in the first hour today, we have, from Canada's Building Trades Unions, Sean Strickland, executive director; from Teamsters Canada, by video conference, Mariam Abou-Dib, executive director, government affairs; and from the United Steelworkers union, Nicolas Lapierre, assistant to the Quebec director, who is here in the room.
Welcome. Each of you will have five minutes or less for your opening statement.
We will begin with Mr. Strickland for five minutes.