Good morning, and welcome to the 131st meeting of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women. This meeting is being held in public.
Today, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Tuesday, June 19, 2018, we will commence our study on the challenges faced by senior women, with a focus on the factors contributing to their poverty and vulnerability.
For this, we are pleased to welcome the following witnesses in our first hour.
From the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, we have Charles MacArthur, Senior Vice-President, Assisted Housing; and Romy Bowers, Chief Commercial Officer.
From the Department of Employment and Social Development, we have Karen Hall, Director General, Social Policy Directorate, Strategic and Service Policy Branch; Catherine Scott, Director General, Community Development and Homelessness Partnerships Directorate, Income Security and Social Development Branch; Jackie Holden, Senior Director, Seniors Policy, Partnerships and Engagement Division, Income Security and Social Development Branch; as well as Patrick Bussière, Director, Social Research Division, Strategic and Service Policy Branch.
I now turn the floor over to Jackie Holden.
You will have seven minutes for your opening statement.