I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 23 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 the context of small and medium-sized enterprises.
Today's meeting is in hybrid format, with some members in the West Block, in Ottawa, and other participants on Zoom.
Those who are here in Ottawa are familiar with the health rules in effect and must therefore conduct themselves accordingly.
I'm very pleased today to welcome to the committee witnesses who have valiantly and graciously agreed to join us on this magnificent Friday afternoon. I thank them very much for being here.
We have, as an individual, Jennifer Quaid, Associate Professor and Vice-Dean Research, Civil Law Section, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa; from the Automotive Industries Association of Canada, Jean-François Champagne and Steve Leal; from the Canadian Health Food Association, Aaron Skelton, President and Chief Executive Officer; from Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, Matt Poirier; and, lastly, from the Mississauga Board of Trade, Trevor McPherson, President and Chief Executive Officer.
I wish to inform the members who will be asking questions of the fact that Mr. McPherson will have to leave us at 2:00 p.m. Consequently, if you have any questions for him, ask them first.
Without further ado, we will begin with Ms. Quaid.
Ms. Quaid, you have the floor for five minutes.