Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Chair, honourable members of the committee, my name is Benoît Arcand and I am the director responsible for Canadian Government Programs at Bell Helicopter Textron Canada, the only Canadian helicopter manufacturer located in Mirabel, Quebec. On behalf of Bell Helicopter and its 175 suppliers across every region of Canada, I thank you for the opportunity to be here today.
This afternoon I'm accompanied by Mr. Pete Peterson, vice-president of Boeing Canada Operations Limited. In addition, I'm accompanied by Mr. Bob Carrese, executive director of business development for the Bell Boeing V-22 program.
Mr. Carrese will be proceeding with the actual presentation of what we believe is the best fixed-wing search and rescue solution for the Canadian government and for the citizens of this great country: the V-22 Osprey.
Without further ado, I will turn the floor over to Mr. Carrese.