We're starting our second panel here this morning in the wonderful province of Alberta.
For anybody who has just joined, we are the Standing Committee on International Trade from Ottawa and we're travelling across this country. This is our second stop. We were in Vancouver, British Columbia yesterday and we're going to try to do every province within the next few months. We are also going to do the territories, probably via satellite from Ottawa.
The other thing is that we are hearing witnesses in Ottawa but also from Canadians across this country who can give us submissions up until the end of June. We'll be analyzing and putting them together so we can see them all in the fall when we go back. We're trying to get this report done this year; it's an ambitious report. Trade is so important to Canada and it affects everybody.
We have a couple of housekeeping items. This is like the House of Commons, so we have both official languages. We have headphones on the side if you want them. If you cannot hear us properly, the headphones also help. We have tea and coffee here for anybody who wants some.
When we're in session, you cannot take pictures, but when when I hit the gavel in between, you're free to take pictures of whomever.
Welcome, everybody. We're going to start our second panel right now, and each witness has five minutes. With us, on this panel, we have the Alberta Federation of Labour, we have Friends of Medicare, and we have the Council of Canadians.
Welcome, folks. We're going to start off with the Federation of Labour, with Mr. McGowan for five minutes.
Welcome, sir. You have the floor.