I call the meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 105 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Science and Research.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format and all witnesses have completed the required connection tests in advance of the meeting.
I'd like to remind all members of the following points.
Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. All comments should be addressed through the chair. Members, please raise your hand if you wish to speak, whether participating in person or via Zoom. The clerk and I will manage the speaking order as best we can.
For those participating by video conference, click on the microphone icon to activate your mic, and please mute it when you are not speaking.
For interpretation for those on Zoom, you have the choice at the bottom of your screen of the floor, English or French.
Thank you all for your co-operation.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(i) and the motion adopted by the committee on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, the committee is resuming its study of the mission, mandate, role, structure and financing of the new capstone research funding organization announced in budget 2024.
It is now my pleasure to welcome our witnesses. From the Fédération des cégeps, we have Sylvain Poirier, deputy director of research. From the University of Calgary, we have Edward McCauley, president and vice-chancellor. On the screen, from the University of Saskatchewan, we have Baljit Singh, vice-president of research.
Up to five minutes will be given to each of you for opening remarks, after which we will proceed with rounds of questions.
Mr. Poirier, I invite you to make an opening statement of up to five minutes.