Good morning, Mr. Chair and committee members. Thank you very much for the invitation. I am Marc Mes, deputy commissioner of Canadian Coast Guard programs, and I'm joined here today by my colleague, Andy Smith, deputy commissioner of shipbuilding and materiel. Of course, the chair has already introduced us.
We really do appreciate the opportunity to speak with you today.
This is a major turning point in the history of the Canadian Coast Guard, or CCG, as we recently joined the defence team and anticipate the proposed expansion of our services in relation to national security.
To help contextualize these priorities, we’d first like to provide a brief overview of our roles within the Canadian Coast Guard.
As deputy commissioner of Coast Guard programs, I am responsible for delivering the Canadian Coast Guard's operational mandate and ensuring the effectiveness of our programs from coast to coast to coast, as well as in the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence. I provide oversight for the critical maritime programs and services that Canadians have depended on for over 60 years. These services ensure the safety of mariners on the water, protect the marine environment and enable economic prosperity through the safe and efficient movement of vessels in Canadian waters.
At its core, my role ensures that the Canadian Coast Guard delivers its mandate as an integrated, efficient service. I now invite Deputy Commissioner Smith to speak to his role and responsibilities.