I call the meeting to order.
This is meeting number 16 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade. Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the House order of November 25, 2021.
As 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 proceedings.
I would like to make a few comments for the benefit of the witnesses and the 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 floor, English or French. All questions have to be directed through the chair.
I apologize to our witnesses. As you know, quite often on Mondays and Wednesdays the House has votes, which delays our getting the meeting under way. I apologize for that. Thank you all for being here.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Monday, March 21, 2022, the committee is resuming its study on trade opportunities for Canadian businesses in the Indo-Pacific.
We have with us by video conference today, from the Business Council of Canada, Trevor Kennedy, vice-president of trade and international policy; from the Canadian Labour Congress, Lily Chang, secretary-treasurer, and Elizabeth Kwan, senior researcher; from Devinci Cycles, Maude Gauthier, strategic initiatives director; and from NioBay Metals, J.S. David, chief executive officer and president.
Welcome to you all.
We will start with opening remarks and then proceed with rounds of questions.
Mr. Kennedy, I invite you to make an opening statement of up to five minutes, please.