Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to meeting 64 of the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology.
Before us we have the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for Science and Technology as well as for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.
Along with him we have, from the Department of Industry, Robert Dunlop, who is the assistant deputy minister for the science and innovation sector. From the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario we have Bruce Archibald, the president; Linda Cousineau, chief financial officer, information management and informatics; as well as Clair Gartley, vice-president, business, innovation and community development.
Ladies and gentlemen, before I call on the minister to go ahead with his opening remarks, I should tell you that Minister Paradis and Minister Bernier have confirmed that they will be with us on May 2 for the first hour, from 3:30 until 4:30. We had already made our schedule and had, as was mentioned, some flexibility, so they will be taking that slot.
Without any further delay, Minister Goodyear, it's good to have you here, and please go ahead with your opening remarks.