I call the meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number five of the House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade.
Today's meeting is taking place in the 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 the 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.
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 normally done by the proceedings and verification officer. When you are not speaking, your mike should be on mute.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee will now proceed with its study of trade between Canada and the United Kingdom and a potential transitional trade agreement.
We welcome our witnesses today.
From the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, we have Steve Verheul, chief negotiator and assistant deputy minister, trade policy and negotiations; Sara Wilshaw, chief trade commissioner, and assistant deputy minister, international business development, investment and innovation; and Doug Forsyth, chief negotiator for the Canada-United Kingdom transitional trade agreement.
From the High Commission for Canada in the United Kingdom, we have Janice Charette, high commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Nathalie Dubé, minister/counsellor (commercial/economic) and senior trade commissioner; and Aaron Fowler, chief agriculture negotiator and director general, trade agreements and negotiations.
Welcome to you all.
Mr. Forsyth, you have the floor.