Good morning to all members of the committee, guests and our witness. This is the 25th meeting of the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development. On the agenda today:
continuing consideration of our study on northern economic development--in fact, the preamble to our study.
Members will recall that we are in the process of hearing witnesses who will help to shape our expected more thorough study on the important issue of northern economic development, i.e. economic development north of 60°.
This morning we welcome Neil McCrank, who is the author and in fact the facilitator of an important report on northern regulatory issues. Mr. McCrank will be here for the duration of our meeting.
Mr. McCrank, we welcome you. You have a ten-minute opening statement, and then we will go to questions from members. You may proceed.