I call the meeting to order.
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Bonjour à tous.
Welcome to the 49th meeting of the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology. Today our orders of the day are pursuant to Standing Order 81(5), supplementary estimates (B) 2012-13. We'll be considering those today.
Before us we have the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec. Minister, welcome.
With the minister we have Thao Pham, vice-president of operations for Canada Economic Development, as well as Luce Perreault, director general, departmental finances branch.
The minister will be here for the first hour. I believe that the officials will stay after that for your questions.
Minister Lebel, we have ten minutes set aside for your opening remarks. When you're ready, please go ahead, Mr. Minister.