I call the meeting to order.
Thank you, everyone, for being here—especially our witnesses.
Welcome to meeting 66 of the Standing Committee on Science and Research.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the Standing Orders. Members are attending in person in the room and also remotely on Zoom.
I would like to make a few comments for the benefit of the witnesses and members.
Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. For those participating by video conference, click on the microphone icon to activate your mike, and when speaking, please speak slowly and clearly.
When you're not speaking in the room or on Zoom, your microphone should be turned off or on mute, and for the benefit of the interpreters, please keep your earpieces away from the microphone, because that can cause injury through feedback, and we certainly don't want to do that. We want to make sure our interpreters are as healthy as they were when they came here.
I remind you that all comments should be addressed through the chair.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(i) and the motion adopted by the committee on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, the committee resumes its study on the use of federal government research and development grants, funds and contributions by Canadian universities and research institutions in partnerships with entities connected to the People's Republic of China.
It's now my pleasure to welcome, from the Canadian Security and Intelligence Service, David Vigneault, the director of CSIS, and Nicole Giles, senior assistant deputy minister, policy and strategic partnerships. Welcome back.
From the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, we have Shawn Tupper, deputy minister, and Sébastien Aubertin-Giguère, associate assistant deputy minister, national and cyber security. You're in a supporting role for Director Vigneault.
Director Vigneault, you have six minutes for your opening remarks, after which we will proceed to our rounds of questioning.
The floor is yours for six minutes, please.