Good morning, everyone. The clerk has advised me that we have quorum.
We will begin meeting number 11 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities. Pursuant to the motion adopted on June 18, 2025, the committee is meeting on government mandate and key priorities for the first hour, and youth employment in Canada for the second hour.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the Standing Orders. All members are attending in person today. No one is appearing on Zoom, which means no one had to be sound tested for interpretation.
Before we begin, I want to review a few items. You have the option to participate in today's meeting in the official language of your choice. Make sure you have your earpiece on and you have chosen the official language in which you choose to participate. If there is an issue with interpretation, please raise your hand and get my attention. We'll suspend while it is being corrected. I would also like to advise you to please ensure that your devices are on silent mode and to avoid tapping the mic boom, as it can cause health issues for our interpreters. Please address all questions through the chair. Wait until I identify you by name before you speak.
In today's meeting, for the first hour we have the Secretary of State for Seniors, the Honourable Stephanie McLean, appearing in person to speak to her mandate. As well, we have Paul Thompson, deputy minister, Department of Employment and Social Development, and Kristen Underwood, director general, seniors and pensions policy secretariat.
I will now give the floor to the secretary to give her opening statement. Then we'll move to the normal questioning round.
Madam Secretary, you have the floor for five minutes or less.