I call meeting number five of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration to order. Good afternoon, everyone.
We will continue with the study of the impact of COVID-19 on immigration.
Before we begin, I just want to remind all attendees about the health and safety measures that need to be taken.
To all the attendees in the room, physically distance yourselves from others by at least two metres, and wear a mask until you are seated and more than two metres away from anyone else. This is a hybrid meeting. Some members are appearing in person in the parliamentary precinct, and the other members are appearing remotely.
As a reminder to members, please speak at a slow enough pace for interpretation to keep up.
The clerk is tracking the raised hands and keeping a speaking list, if needed. All questions should be decided by a recorded vote, except for those decided unanimously or on division. This is based on the order adopted by the House on September 23. The meeting is being webcast and is available on ParlVU.
We are continuing to listen to witnesses on the impact of COVID-19 on the immigration system.
I want to welcome all the witnesses today. Thanks to all the witnesses for appearing before the committee and providing your important testimony.
We will be hearing today from Universities Canada. They are being represented by Paul Davidson, president and chief executive officer; as well as Wendy Therrien, director, external relations and research. We also have Colleges and Institutes Canada, being represented by Denise Amyot, president and chief executive officer. I also welcome Debbie Douglas, executive director for the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants. On behalf of Alliance Canada Hong Kong, we will hear from Robert Falconer, research associate, immigration and refugee policy, School of Public Policy, University of Calgary, and also Starus Chan, representative from Alliance Canada Hong Kong.
As individuals, we have appearing before us today Emmanuelle Bergeron, as well as Jatin Shory, lawyer for Shory Law.
We will proceed with our first panel. All the witnesses will have five minutes for their opening remarks.
I will start with Colleges and Institutes Canada. I would request Denise Amyot, president and chief executive officer, to please start.
You have five minutes for your opening remarks. The floor is yours.