Thank you very much.
I will be leaving the chair at 11:45 this morning, and Mr. Seeback will be assuming the chair.
Thank you, Mr. Seeback.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, the committee is beginning its study of the subject matter of Bill C-57. We have, appearing with us, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development.
We are very happy to have you visiting us today.
From the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, we have Bruce Christie, assistant deputy minister and chief trade negotiator; Karl Van Kessel, deputy director, investment trade policy; Kati Csaba, executive director, Ukraine bureau; and Dean Foster, director, trade negotiations—Africa, Americas, Europe, India, Middle East. We also have Adam Douglas, senior counsel and deputy director, investment and services law.
Welcome to all of you. We appreciate your finding the time to come in and share information with us.
We will start with opening remarks.
Minister Ng, I invite you to make an opening statement of up to five minutes, please.