We'll call the 39th meeting of the Standing Committee on Industry, Science, and Technology to order. Pursuant to Standing Order 108.(2), we will be continuing our study of Canadian science and technology policy.
First of all, I do want to apologize to the witnesses for the delay. We did have a vote in the House and all members had to be there. The government lost that vote, so we may be into an election later this afternoon; I'm not sure. We'll see what the opposition decides to do with that. Anyway, it looks like we will have almost an hour and a half for presentations and for questions from members.
We have with us here today four organizations.
From the National Angel Organization, we have the president, W. Daniel Mothersill. We have the chairman of the board of directors, Andrew Wilkes. Welcome.
We have joining us again from Precarn Incorporated Mr. Paul Johnston, president and CEO, who was with us on Tuesday.
From VenGrowth Asset Management Incorporated, we have a general partner, Jay Heller. Welcome.
Fourthly, from the Business Development Bank of Canada we have the executive vice-president, investments, Jacques Simoneau.
Perhaps we could have presentations in that order, except Mr. Johnston, because he made a presentation on Tuesday. We'll have three presentations. So we'll do that in that order.
We'll start with the National Angel Organization. You have up to five minutes for your opening presentation, and then we will go to questions from members.
Mr. Mothersill, will you be starting?