I now call the meeting to order.
Welcome to the 73rd meeting of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Official Languages.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3) and the motion adopted by the committee on September 20, 2023, the committee is meeting to continue its study on economic development of official language minority communities.
Once again, I will spare you the instructions about using Zoom, because our guests are participating in person and the parliamentarians who are participating remotely are regulars.
I will simply remind you to make sure your earpiece is not too close to the microphone when the mic is on, since that could result in feedback and cause injury to the interpreters and technicians.
I would like to welcome the officials from the Department of Industry. With us are Etienne‑René Massie, Assistant Deputy Minister, Small Business and Marketplace Services, Kasi McMicking, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategy and Innovation Policy Sector, and Marie‑Caroline Badjeck, Acting Director, Strategy and Innovation Policy Sector.
Ladies, Mr. Massie, I believe this is your first appearance at a meeting of the Official Languages Committee, because I have sat on this committee for at least seven years and I have never seen you here.
The way we work is this. You have five minutes to make your presentation, which Ms. McMicking will be doing today. After the presentation, there will be a round of questions. I am strict about the time allowed for the presentation, because I want to leave as much time as possible for the members from each party to ask their questions.
I know I talk rather fast. I will try to slow the tide, for our interpreters.
Ms. McMicking, you have the floor for five minutes.