I call the meeting to order.
This is meeting number 13 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade.
Our meeting is taking place in a hybrid format pursuant to the House order of November 25, 2021. Per the directive of the Board of Internal Economy on March 10, 2022, all those attending the meeting in person must wear a mask, except for members who are at their place during the proceedings.
I'd like to make a few comments for the benefit of witnesses and members. Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. For those participating by video conference, click on the microphone icon to activate your mike, and please mute yourself when you are not speaking. For those participating via Zoom, you have interpretation options at the bottom of your screen of either floor audio, English or French. I will remind you that all comments are directed through the chair.
Welcome to all of our committee members, and welcome to our witnesses.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motions adopted by the committee on Monday, January 31, 2022, and March 21, 2022, the committee is resuming its study of the modernization of the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement.
On the first panel, we have with us, by video conference, from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, Jay Allen, director general, trade negotiations; François Rivest, director general, regional trade operations and intergovernmental relations; Andrew Turner, director, Eastern Europe and Eurasia division; and Sarah Geddes, deputy director, trade negotiations. From the Department of Finance, we have Michèle Govier, director general, international trade policy division.
Welcome, all of you.