I'm calling the meeting 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 would like to make a few comments for the benefit of the witnesses and members.
Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. When speaking, please speak slowly and clearly. With regard to interpretation, for those on Zoom, you have the choice at the bottom of your screen of floor, English or French. For those in the room, you can use the earpiece and select the desired channel.
All comments should be addressed through the Chair. For members in the room, if you wish to speak, please raise your hand. For 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, and we will suspend for a few minutes in order to ensure that all members can participate fully.
Today we are meeting with the Minister of International Trade, Export Promotions, Small Business and Economic Development and officials.
We will have two panels. The first will be regarding the committee’s study on Canadian mining firms abroad, and the second panel will be regarding the main estimates for 2023-24.
For the first panel, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Wednesday, February 2, 2022, the committee is resuming its study of environmental and human rights considerations regarding Canadian mining firms abroad.
We have with us today, on the first panel, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development. From the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, we have Rob Stewart, deputy minister, international trade, and Sara Wilshaw, chief trade commissioner. From the Department of Industry, we have Charles Vincent, assistant deputy minister, small business and marketplace services.
Welcome to you all.
We will start with opening remarks and then proceed with a round of questions.
Minister Ng, I invite you to take the floor for an opening statement of up to 10 minutes. You are doing only one opening statement for both panels, so we will give you the floor for up to 10 minutes, please.