I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 36 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Official Languages.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(f), the committee is meeting on the study of the federal support for French-language or bilingual post-secondary institutions in a minority situation.
I have a few things to tell you.
A reminder that all comments by members and witnesses should be addressed through the chair.
I assume everyone is wearing a headset with a boom microphone.
Today, we are beginning our study of federal support for French-language or bilingual post-secondary institutions in a minority situation. We will be spending four meetings on the study.
Welcome to the witnesses. We have with us the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Official Languages, a committee regular. Welcome, Minister. Joining her are officials from the Department of Canadian Heritage, Denis Racine, director general, official languages branch, and Julie Boyer, assistant deputy minister, official languages, heritage and regions.
You have seven and a half minutes for your opening statement, Minister. After that, we will move into questions from members. I have started the clock. The floor is yours, Minister.