I call this meeting to order.
Welcome, everyone, to meeting number 14 of the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs.
We are gathered here today on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabe Nation.
Today we are concluding our second study on the effects of the housing shortage on indigenous peoples across Canada.
These are the witnesses from the first panel: Chief April Martel, from the K'atl'odeeche Nation. We also have Mr. Justin Marchand, the chair of the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association's Aboriginal Caucus Working Group. Finally, from the National Association of Friendship Centres, we have Ms. Kelly Benning, the president, and Ms. Jocelyn Formsma, the executive director.
I would now like to remind all members of the committee to follow the Board of Internal Economy's directive regarding the wearing of masks and physical distancing.
I would also like to outline a few rules for the smooth running of the committee.
Members and witnesses may speak in the official language of their choice. There will be interpretation in French, English and Inuktitut during the meeting. I would ask you to be patient with the interpretation. There may be delays, particularly because Inuktitut must be translated into English first before it can be translated into French, and vice versa.
The button for interpretation is at the bottom of your screen in the form of a globe. If you can no longer hear the interpretation, please notify me immediately, and we will ensure that it is restored before resuming the proceedings.
The “raise hand” feature at the bottom of the screen can be used at any time if you wish to speak to the chair.
Before speaking, please wait until I recognize you by name. If you are participating in the meeting by video conference, please click on the microphone icon to unmute yourself. The microphone for members in the room is usually controlled by the clerk.
When you have the floor, try to speak slowly and clearly. If you do not have the floor, please mute your microphone.
I remind you that all comments should be addressed to the chair.
Each organization has been invited to give a five-minute statement which will be followed by a period of questions by members.
Members of each party will have six minutes each for the first round of questions. The order and time for questioning for subsequent rounds will be as follows: the Conservative Party, five minutes; the Liberal Party will also have five minutes; the Bloc Québécois and the New Democratic Party, two and a half minutes; then the Conservative Party and Liberal Party, five minutes.
I'd now like to invite Chief Martel to begin her statement.
Chief Martel, you have five minutes.