I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 32 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on National Defence.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, the committee is meeting to study the situation of francophones and indigenous members in the Canadian Armed Forces.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format. Before we continue, we ask participants to consult the guidelines on the table. These measures are here to help prevent audio and feedback incidents and to protect the health and safety of our interpreters.
I'd like to remind witnesses and members to please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. The clerk and I will manage the speaking order as best we can.
For interpretation, you can use your earpiece and select the appropriate channel of floor, English or French. That's also available on Zoom for our witnesses participating virtually.
I'd now like to welcome our witnesses.
We have Stéphanie Chouinard, associate professor. I believe retired captain Hélène Le Scelleur is also available. We also have Lieutenant-General Michel Maisonneuve and Eric Sauvé.
I will now open it up to the witnesses to provide their opening remarks.