I'll call this meeting to order, members.
Thank you very much for being with us today.
We're here in Windsor on our cross-country tour, a study of the manufacturing sector, as we finish the study of the challenges facing the manufacturing sector, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2). This is the 32nd meeting of the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology. We're very pleased to be here in Windsor. This is our sixth major centre in about four days, so we're a little weather-beaten, but we're here and we're very glad to be here.
We have with us today four witnesses for the first section, from 9 o'clock to 10:15, a very short time, but we look forward to the discussion. We have two guests with us right now. We have Mr. Patrick Persichilli, director of administration and corporate affairs for Valiant Machine & Tool Incorporated. Secondly, we have the president of Platinum Tool Technologies, Mr. Dan Moynahan, with us here this morning. We are expecting two others, who we will bring to the table when they arrive. Perhaps we could start with Mr. Persichilli.
Mr. Gary Parent, from the Windsor and District Labour Council is here as well. Welcome, Mr. Parent.
We will start with up to five-minute opening statements from the witnesses and then we'll move directly into questions and comments from the members to the witnesses.
Mr. Persichilli, we would ask you to start with your opening statement.