Good afternoon, everyone. We now go to the public portion of our meeting. Before we begin, however, I have a few reminders. For those participating virtually, I would like to outline the following rules.
You may speak in the official language of your choice. Interpretation services are available for this meeting. You have the choice at the bottom of your screen of either "Floor", "English" or "French". Please inform me immediately if interpretation is lost, and I will ensure that it is promptly restored before resuming the proceedings.
Members participating in person may proceed as you usually would when the whole committee is meeting in person in a committee room.
Before speaking, please wait until I recognize you by name. If you are participating in the meeting via videoconference, please click on the microphone icon to unmute yourself. For the members in the room, your microphone will be controlled, as usual, by the proceedings and verification officer.
We remind you that all comments by members should be addressed through the chair.
I thank you in advance for speaking slowly and clearly. When you are not speaking, your microphone must be on mute.
Regarding the speaking list, the committee clerk and I will do our best to maintain an order of speaking that is fair for all members, whether they are participating virtually or in person.
Should any technical challengeS arise, please advise me. Please note that we may need to suspend a few minutes to ensure that all members are able to participate fully.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(f) and the motion adopted by the committee on Monday, January 31, 2022, the committee is resuming its study of francophone immigration to Quebec and Canada.
I would first like to welcome Alain Rayes, the member for Richmond—Arthabaska, who has joined us as a permanent member of the official languages committee.
I would now like to welcome our witnesses. From the Department of Citizenship and Immigration, we have, via videoconference, Corinne Prince, Acting Assistant Deputy Minister, Settlement and Integration; Alexandra Hiles, Director General, Domestic Network; and Michèle Kingsley, Director General, Immigration Branch.
You will have a maximum of 10 minutes for opening remarks, after which we will proceed with a series of questions. I will inform you verbally when you have one minute left, and you will be encouraged to use that final minute to wrap up your presentation.
I now invite Ms. Prince to make her opening remarks.
Ms. Prince, you have the floor.