Let's call the meeting to order.
I would like to thank everybody for arriving. We're a few minutes late.
The minister is here for an hour, but I think we'll go past two o'clock to make up the time we lost.
I want to welcome the minister.
As she pointed out, she was a member of this committee in the last Parliament. I enjoyed working with her then.
I should note that was one of the better sound checks. I have thoughts of music, monologue and doughnuts on my mind now. Thank you to those who were unique today.
I'm going to spare everybody the usual introduction about process, because there isn't a single person here today who doesn't know it. In the interest of time, I'll move on.
We are here today with Minister Ng, as a result of a motion by Mr. Zimmer that was tabled some time ago. So that we are reminded, as it gives us some context for today's discussion, the motion read as follows:
That, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade...be invited to appear before the committee as part of its ongoing study on Economic Recovery in the Forestry Sector...to provide critical information relating to the recent World Trade Organization ruling, as the government official who appeared...on Friday, October 30, 2020 was not able to respond to the question and suggested that Global Affairs Canada appear and answer that question at a future meeting.
That's just to contextualize our discussion today.
I will turn the floor over to you, Minister. Thank you once again for taking the time to be here.