Good afternoon, everyone. I'm calling this meeting to order.
Welcome to the twentieth meeting of the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs.
We are gathered here today on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe nation.
This is just a reminder, before we get going, about those 12 witnesses we had to supply for the fourth study by noon today, as well as the requirement for the rest of them by noon on May 20 so that the analysts can get on with inviting these witnesses.
Today, we are continuing our third study on the Administration and Accessibility of Indigenous Peoples to the Non-Insured Health Benefit, or NIHB, program.
I will get to our first panel in a moment, but first a few reminders.
I would like to remind everyone to abide by the requirements established by the Board of Internal Economy concerning physical distancing and mask wearing.
To ensure an orderly meeting, I would like to outline a few small rules. Members or witnesses may speak in the official language of their choice. Interpretation services in English, French and Inuktitut are available for the first part of today’s meeting. Please be patient with the interpretation. Sometimes it has to go from Inuktitut to English and then to French, or vice versa, so there will be a little delay.
The interpretation button is found at the bottom of your screen with the choice of English, French or Inuktitut. If interpretation is lost, please le me know and we'll stop proceedings and try to rectify the problem before continuing.
Before speaking, please wait until I recognize you by name. If you use the “raise hand” feature, you can get my attention that way if you need to. If you are on the video conference, please click on the microphone icon to unmute yourself. For those in the room, as you know, your microphone will be controlled as normal by the proceedings and verification officer. When speaking, please speak slowly and clearly. When you are not speaking, your mike should be on mute.
As a reminder, all comments should be addressed through the chair. Also try to stick to the time that is allotted to you.
We start off with the witnesses each making a five-minute statement. Two of the three witnesses are here, so we'll get on with it.
I would like to welcome Dr. Lynn Tomkins and Dr. Philip Poon from the Canadian Dental Association. As well, Caroline Lidstone-Jones, chief executive officer of the Indigenous Primary Health Care Council will join us hopefully shortly. Finally, we have Maggie Putulik, vice-president, health services, Nunasi Corporation, who is in person today.
Without further ado I will invite Dr. Lynn Tomkins to start off our proceedings today.
Dr. Tomkins, you have five minutes.