I call the meeting to order.
Good morning, everyone. Welcome to meeting number 30 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the House order of January 25, 2021. The proceedings will be made available via the House of Commons website. So that you are aware, the webcast will always show the person speaking rather than the entirety of the committee.
To ensure an orderly meeting, I'd like to outline a few rules to follow. Members and witnesses may speak in the official language of their choice. Interpretation services are available for the meeting. You have the choice at the bottom of your screen of floor, English or French. Please select your preference.
This is a reminder that all comments by members and witnesses should be addressed through the chair, and when you are not speaking, your microphone should be on mute. I also ask that you not talk over each other so that the interpreters 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 I will hold up a red card when your time for questions has expired. Please make sure that you are on gallery view so that you can see me giving you these indications.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on February 23, 2021, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology is meeting today to undertake a study on competitiveness in Canada.
I'd like to now welcome our witnesses. We have Yelena Larkin, associate professor of finance from York University. We have David Vaillancourt, partner, Affleck Greene McMurtry. From the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, we have Laura Jones, executive vice-president and chief strategic officer. From C.D. Howe Institute, we have Mr. Benjamin Dachis, director of public affairs. From the National Coalition of Chiefs, we have Dale Swampy, president.
Each witness will have five minutes to present, followed by questions.
With that, we will start with Yelena Larkin.
You have the floor for five minutes.