Bonjour and good afternoon, Mr. Chair and committee members.
My name is Neil O'Rourke, and I'm the assistant commissioner for the Arctic region for the Canadian Coast Guard.
My colleague and I appreciate the opportunity to come here today to appear before this committee on behalf of the department and to have a conversation about icebreaking and then search and rescue.
I am accompanied today by Mr. Robb Wight, who is the director general of vessel procurement.
We are here today to talk about the Canadian Coast Guard's icebreaking capabilities in the Arctic.
The Coast Guard's mandate is to ensure the safety of mariners in Canadian waters and the protection of Canada's marine environment, as well as to support Canada's economic growth through the safe and efficient movement of maritime trade. We also contribute to our country's sovereignty and security, including in the north, through our presence in all Canadian waters.
The Canadian Coast Guard is mission-ready 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and operates in almost...