I'm calling meeting number 33 of the Standing Committee on International Trade to order.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the House order of June 23, 2022. Therefore, members are attending in person in the room and remotely using the Zoom application.
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. When speaking, please speak slowly and clearly. For those participating by video conference, click on the microphone icon to activate your mike, and please mute yourself when you are not speaking. With regard to interpretation, those on Zoom have the choice at the bottom of their screens of “Floor”, “English” or “French”. Those in the room can use the earpiece and select the desired channel.
I will remind you that all comments should be addressed through the chair. To members in the room, if you wish to speak, please raise your hand. Members on Zoom, please use the “raise hand” function. The clerk and I will manage the speaking order as best we can, and we appreciate your patience and understanding in this regard.
Please also note that during the meeting it is not permitted to take pictures in the room or screenshots on Zoom.
Should any technical challenges arise, please advise me. Please note that we may need to suspend for a few minutes as we need to ensure that all members are able to participate fully.
Welcome to those who are online and attending virtually.
Ms. Collins and Mr. Sarai, I'm glad to see you. Thank you for joining our committee today.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, the committee is receiving a briefing on ministerial work completed in a very busy summer of 2022.
With us today, we have the Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, Minister Ng.
Welcome, Minister. We're very happy to have you.
From the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, we have Rob Stewart, deputy minister of international trade; Sara Wilshaw, chief trade commissioner and assistant deputy minister, international business development, investment and innovation; Bruce Christie, assistant deputy minister and chief trade negotiator; and Aaron Fowler, associate assistant deputy minister.
From the Department of Industry, we have Charles Vincent, assistant deputy minister, small business and marketplace services.
I want to welcome back to our committee many of you who have been here before. We welcome you and we're happy to hear from you again today.
Minister Ng, we normally allot five minutes for whoever's presenting. I'm going to ask if it's okay with the committee members for the minister to have a few extra minutes, because she has a lot to tell us and we'd like to get that done. If that's okay with everyone, I'll turn the floor over to Minister Ng.
You have the floor.