I call the meeting to order.
Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to meeting number 92 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Official Languages.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3) and the motion adopted by the committee on Monday, January 29, 2024, the committee is resuming its study of the language obligations related to the process of staffing or making appointments to key positions.
I'm not going to read all the instructions for testifying by videoconference that have been in effect since the COVID‑19 pandemic, since the Canadian Parliament is now an expert in the field. However, I would like to remind everyone in the room to ensure that their earpieces are not located near the microphone when they are speaking, to avoid feedback. In addition, in accordance with our housekeeping motion, I wish to inform the committee that all witnesses participating in the meeting by videoconference have completed the required sound and connection tests prior to the meeting.
I would now like to welcome the witnesses. Today, we have Justine Hendricks, president and CEO of Farm Credit Canada, and Angela Cassie, president of the Société de la francophonie manitobaine. Good afternoon, ladies.
Today there's a solar eclipse, and I'd like to say that it's happening on a very special day—the birthday of our favourite analyst, who just turned 31. So I'd like to wish Ms. Lecomte, who does an incredible job for the committee, a very happy birthday.