I call this meeting to order. Welcome to meeting number 39 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.
Members and witnesses may speak in the official language of their choice. Interpretation services are available for this meeting. A reminder that all comments by members and witnesses should be addressed through the chair. Should any technical challenges arise, please advise me.
Lastly, I remind all participants and attendees that you cannot take photos or screen captures.
I would now like to welcome our witnesses. I thank them for accepting our invitation to appear before the committee.
For the first hour, we are hearing from, as an individual, Jean Poirier, former member of provincial Parliament and former president of the Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario, as well as Lynn Brouillette, president and chief executive officer, and Martin Normand, director of strategic research and international relations, both from the Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne. We are also hearing from Luc Bussières, rector of the Université de Hearst.
I see that Marie-France Lalonde has raised her hand.
Mrs. Lalonde, go ahead.