Good morning, everyone. Welcome to the Standing Committee on Official Languages.
This morning we are here, pursuant to Standing Order 108(3), on a study of immigration as a development tool in official language minority communities.
We have the pleasure of holding a very special meeting this morning at the Collège catholique Samuel-Genest. From the outset, I would first like to thank you all for agreeing to receive us at this school. Allow me, first of all, to thank the school principal, Mr. Réal Charette. When I have finished, committee members and I will be able to express our appreciation. I would also like to thank Ms. Sylvie Plouffe, administrative assistant to the principal's office at the secondary level. Thank you very much for having us, Ms. Plouffe.
There's also Ms. Diane Garneau, library technician, who offered us refreshments this morning, Ms. Dominique Roy-Buisson, teacher and librarian, and Ms. Ginette Bernier, secretary in the principal's office, who distributed coffee, juice, fruit and cookies. There are also students who agreed to prepare the room yesterday: Ms. Tracy Percy and Ms. Varlène Muka Munama, as well as Mr. Pierre Nivardi and Mr. Casey Lanthier.
I would like to inform members of some procedures. Since we are at a school, bells will ring at 9:25, 9:35 and 10:50, but don't be afraid, they aren't the bells calling you to go and vote.