Good afternoon to you all. Today, we are beginning our study on Arctic sovereignty.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Monday, February 23, 2009,
this is meeting number 18 of the Standing Committee on National Defence.
I would like to welcome our witnesses today: John Keating, Chief Executive Officer, COM DEV International; Chester Reimer, Senior Policy Analyst with the Inuit Circumpolar Council of Canada and Kenneth Coates, professor of history and dean of arts at the University of Waterloo.
Welcome to all of you.
Gentlemen, you will have five to seven minutes. I will start with Mr. Keating.