I call this meeting back to order.
Good evening, everyone. I understand from our clerk that we are ready to go for panel two.
I'll begin by giving some information to the new witnesses.
Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. For those participating by video conference, click on the microphone icon to activate your mic and please mute yourself when you are not speaking.
Interpretation for those on Zoom - you have the choice, at the bottom of your screen, of either floor/off, English or French. For those in the room, you can use the earpiece and select the desired channel.
A reminder that all comments should be addressed through the chair.
I would now like to welcome the witnesses.
We will be hearing from Mr. Martin Normand, Director, Strategic Research and International Relations, at the Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne.
We also have Mrs. Annie Pilote, Full Professor and Dean, Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, at Université Laval, appearing today on behalf of the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences.
Also with us is Mr. Benoit Sévigny, the Director of Communications at Fonds de recherche du Québec.
Colleagues, we will now go to opening statements. Each of the three groups will have five minutes.
At the four and a half minute mark, I will hold up this green folder. That will let you know that you have 30 seconds left. We do our best to be fair.
With that, I say welcome to you all. Our committee is eager to hear from you.
I'll begin by giving the floor to Mr. Martin Normand for five minutes.