Good morning, everyone.
Pursuant to the order of reference of Wednesday, October 18, 2006, we're dealing with Bill C-24, An Act to impose a charge on the export of certain softwood lumber products to the United States and a charge on refunds of certain duty deposits paid to the United States, to authorize certain payments, to amend the Export and Import Permits Act and to amend other Acts as a consequence. I read that just to remind people that we're not here to debate the softwood lumber deal; that debate is over, or at least it's not before this committee. We're here to deal with Bill C-24, which is an implementation bill.
We have as a witness, from Baker and Hostetler, Elliot Feldman. Again, welcome.
And from Gottlieb & Pearson, international trade and customs lawyers, we have Darrel Pearson, senior partner; and at the table with him, Michael Woods.
So we will take the opening statements in the order that we have on the list here, starting with Mr. Feldman. Perhaps you could state who you're representing here at the committee today, as you appear, and then go ahead with your opening statements, and we'll get to the questioning.