I call this meeting to order. Good afternoon, everyone.
Welcome to meeting number 20 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry and Technology. Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Friday, April 8, 2022, the committee is meeting to study competitiveness in small and medium-sized enterprises.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format pursuant to the House order of November 25, 2021. Members are attending in person in the room and remotely by using the Zoom application.
Those who are here in Ottawa know the health rules in place, so govern yourselves accordingly.
Speaking of which, if I'm not mistaken, it's our first meeting as a committee at which we have witnesses present with us in Ottawa, so we're very happy to have you. Thank you very much. It's really great and much appreciated.
We also appreciate our witnesses with us today via Zoom.
Without further ado, we have, from Beer Canada, Luke Chapman, who is the vice-president of federal affairs.
From the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, we have Mark Agnew, senior vice-president of policy and government relations, and Alla Drigola Birk, senior director of parliamentary affairs and small and medium enterprises policy.
From the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, we have Corinne Pohlmann, senior vice-president, national affairs and partnerships.
From the Quebec Council of Employers, we have Karl Blackburn, president and chief executive officer, and Denis Hamel, vice-president of workforce development policies.
Finally, from Vivic Research, we will have Robin Shaban, senior economist, who will probably be able to join us a bit later.
I thank all the witnesses for being with us.
We will begin without further ado with Mr. Chapman, who is here with us in Ottawa.
Mr. Chapman, you have five minutes.