I'm calling to order meeting number 21 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'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, please click on your 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 the floor, English or French.
As a reminder to you, all comments have to go through the chair.
To all members, welcome to our Monday meeting.
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 region.
Today we have with us, from the Embassy of Canada to the Philippines, His Excellency Peter MacArthur, ambassador; from the Embassy of Canada to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, His Excellency Shawn Steil, ambassador; from the High Commission to the Republic of Singapore, His Excellency Jean-Dominique Ieraci, high commissioner; and from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Canada, Henry Chi-Hung Liu, executive director, economic division. Welcome to you all.
We will start with opening remarks from Ambassador MacArthur.
I invite you to make an opening statement of up to five minutes, please.