I call this meeting to order.
Welcome back. It's good to see everyone back at the table.
I appreciate the witnesses before us.
I also want to welcome our new clerk, Jean-Denis Kusion.
To all of you, welcome to meeting number 20 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on National Defence. Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted on September 16, 2025, the committee is meeting to resume consideration of the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, modernization.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the Standing Orders. Members are attending in person, and remotely using the Zoom application. I would ask participants to consult the guidelines on the table. These measures are to help prevent audio and feedback incidents and to protect the health and safety of the interpreters.
I would like to remind witnesses and members to please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. If you wish to speak, please raise your hand. For members on Zoom, please use the “raise hand” function. The clerk and I will manage the speaking order as best we can.
For interpretation, use your earpiece and select the appropriate channel for floor, English or French. This is also available on Zoom. All comments should be addressed through the chair.
I would now like to welcome our witnesses.
We have Lieutenant-General Jamie Speiser-Blanchet, commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force. We have Peter Hammerschmidt, assistant deputy minister, infrastructure and environment, and Jonathan Quinn, director general, continental defence and advanced capabilities. We also have Neil O'Rourke, director general, fleet and maritime services, Canadian Coast Guard.
I will now invite Jonathan Quinn to make his opening statement of up to five minutes.