I call to order this meeting of the Standing Committee on International Trade, 43rd Parliament, second session, meeting number four. Pursuant to Standing Order 81(4), we are meeting on the main estimates 2020-21: vote 1 under Invest in Canada Hub, referred to the committee on Wednesday, September 30.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format pursuant to the House order of September 23, 2020. The proceedings are available via the House of Commons website. To ensure an orderly meeting, I would like to outline a few rules to follow.
Members and witnesses may speak in the official language of their choice. Interpretation services are available for this meeting. You have a choice at the bottom of your screen of floor, English or French.
For members participating in person, proceed as you usually would when the whole committee is meeting in person in a committee room. Keep in mind the directives from the Board of Internal Economy regarding masking and health protocols for everyone.
Before speaking, please wait until I recognize you by name. If you are on the video conference, please click on the microphone icon to unmute your mike. For those in the room, your microphone will be controlled as normal by the proceedings and verification officer. I will remind you that all comments by members and witnesses need to be addressed through the chair. When you are not speaking, your mike should be on mute.
Pursuant to that standing order, I would like to welcome Minister Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, and her officials. Minister Ng will be here for one hour and her officials will remain for the second hour.
Minister Ng, welcome to our committee. Thank you for being here. I turn the floor over to you.