I call this meeting to order.
Let me start, as I always do, by acknowledging that we are on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe nation.
This is meeting number seven of the Standing Committee on Natural Resources. As you know, the meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the Standing Orders. We have a number of folks on Zoom today, including one of our committee members.
I would like to make a few comments for the benefit of witnesses and members.
For those participating by video conference, click on the microphone icon to activate your mic, and please mute yourself when you are not speaking. Also, at the bottom of your screen you can select the appropriate channel for interpretation: floor, English or French. For those in the room, you can use the earpiece and select the desired channel.
I'll give a reminder that all comments should be addressed through the chair.
Do remember, everyone, our incredible interpreters and take it easy on their ears. When you're not using your earpiece, place it on the decal in front of you, and please try not to speak too quickly.
Before we start, colleagues, at our last meeting we talked about the number of witnesses that we had to accommodate, and we are absolutely going to need a seventh meeting. Some of your top-priority witnesses that we saved and scheduled to the end will be able to make it if we have that last meeting. We also need to give drafting instructions to our amazing analysts, so we will need that meeting.
Then we will start the forestry study promptly on the Thursday. We're lining up witnesses, and this gives the clerk a little bit more time to line up some panels, colleagues. With your leave, we will proceed in that fashion.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted on Thursday, September 18, the committee will resume its study of the development of critical minerals in Canada.
I would like to welcome our witnesses, both online and in person.
We have Mark Tory, president and CEO of Defense Metals Corporation; Jeff Stibbard, CEO of JDS Mining and Energy; and Robin Goad, president and CEO of Fortune Minerals Limited.
You will each have five minutes for your opening remarks. We're going to start with Mr. Tory.
You have the floor, sir.