Good afternoon, everyone. I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 13 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology. Pursuant to the order of reference of Saturday, April 11, the committee is meeting to receive evidence concerning matters related to the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today's meeting is taking place by video conference, and proceedings will be made available via the House of Commons website.
I would like to remind members and the witnesses that before you speak, please wait until I recognize you by name. When you are ready to speak, please unmute your microphone and then return them to mute when you are finished speaking. When speaking, please speak slowly and clearly so the translators can do their work. As is my normal practice, I will hold up a yellow card when you have 30 seconds left in your intervention, and a red card when your time for questions has expired.
I'd like to welcome our witnesses. From the Canadian Communication Systems Alliance we have Jay Thomson, chief executive officer, and Ian Stevens, board member and CEO of Execulink Telecom; from the City of St. Clair Township, Steve Arnold, mayor; from OpenMedia, Laura Tribe, executive director; from the Regional District of East Kootenay, Rob Gay, board chair and director of electoral area C; and from TekSavvy Solutions, Andy Kaplan-Myrth, vice president, regulatory and carrier affairs.
Each organization will present for five minutes, followed by rounds of questions. We will begin with the Canadian Communication Systems Alliance. I believe, Mr. Thomson, you are speaking on their behalf, and you have five minutes.