I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 81 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Natural Resources.
Pursuant to the order of reference of Tuesday, October 17, 2023, and the motion of Wednesday, December 13, 2023, the committee is commencing consideration of Bill C-49, an act to amend the Canada–Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act and to make consequential amendments to other acts.
Regarding the committee's study of BillC-49, I would like to remind members that all amendments, including subamendments, must be submitted in writing and sent to our committee clerk. Should you wish to propose amendments during clause-by-clause consideration, please send the legislative counsel, Marie Danik, your written instructions as soon as possible. She will ensure that amendments are drafted in the proper legal format.
Since today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, I would like to make a few comments for the benefit of members and witnesses.
Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. For those participating by video conference, click on the microphone icon to activate your mike and please mute yourself when you are not speaking.
There is interpretation. For those on Zoom, you have the choice at the bottom of your screen of floor, English or French. For those in the room, you can use the earpiece and select the desired channel.
Although the room is equipped with a powerful audio system, feedback events can occur. These can be extremely harmful to interpreters and cause serious injuries. The most common cause of sound feedback is an earpiece worn too close to a microphone. We therefore ask all participants to exercise a high degree of caution when handling the earpieces, especially when your microphone or your neighbour's microphone is turned on. In order to prevent incidents and safeguard the hearing health of interpreters, I invite participants to ensure that they speak into the microphone into which their headset is plugged and to avoid manipulating the earbuds by placing them on the table away from the microphone when they are not in use.
I remind you that all comments should be addressed through the chair. Additionally, screenshots or photos of your screen are not permitted.
With us today, we welcome the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. With Minister Wilkinson we have members from the Department of Natural Resources: Michael Vandergrift, deputy minister; Erin O'Brien, assistant deputy minister, fuels sector; Abigail Lixfeld, senior director, renewable and electrical energy division, energy systems sector; and Annette Tobin, director, offshore management division, fuels sector.
Mr. Wilkinson, the floor is yours for five minutes. Please go ahead.