Good morning, everyone. I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 32 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, and so that you are aware, the webcast will always show the person speaking rather than the entire 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 this meeting. You have a choice at the bottom of your screen of “floor”, “English” or “French”. Please select the language preference now.
I remind you that all comments by members and witnesses should be addressed through the chair, and please wait until I recognize you by name. When you are not speaking, your mike should be on mute, and when it is your turn to speak, please unmute your mike. Please do not speak over each other, as this does not allow for the interpreters to do their important work.
Most importantly, as is my normal practice, I will hold up a yellow card for when you have 30 seconds remaining in your intervention and a red card for when your time for questions has expired. Please keep your screen in gallery view so that you can see the cards when I hold them up. Please respect the time so that all members have a chance to pose their questions.
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 continue it's study on competitiveness in Canada.
I'd now like to welcome our witnesses. Today we have Professor Trevor Tombe, associate professor at the University of Calgary; Mr. Robert Ulicki; Mr. Robert Donald, executive director of the Canadian Council for Aviation and Aerospace; Jim Balsillie, chair of the Council of Canadian Innovators; and Robin Shaban, principal economist at Vivic Research.
Each witness will present for up to five minutes, to be followed by rounds of questions.
We will start with Professor Tombe.
You have the floor for five minutes.