Welcome to this, the sixth meeting of the Standing Committee on International Trade.
Today we have the great pleasure of having the minister appear before us. As per our normal practice, we're going to ask the minister to perhaps read an opening statement, if he would like, and to keep it under 10 minutes if he can. Then I think we'll proceed to questions immediately thereafter, beginning with the party on my left. We'll do seven-minute rounds in the first round. If there's time for a second round of questioning, we'll go to five-minute questions.
I notice the minister is accompanied today by the assistant deputy minister of trade policy and negotiations, Don Stephenson. Mr. Stephenson, welcome back to the committee.
I take it that there will be one statement from the department read by the minister.
Mr. Minister, the Honourable Peter Van Loan.