Good morning and welcome to meeting number 15 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the House order of January 25, 2021. The proceedings will be made available on the House of Commons website. The webcast will always show the person speaking rather than the entirety of the committee. If you're on Zoom—and everyone other than Stephanie is—please use the “raise hand” function.
Today the committee is resuming its study on challenges faced by women living in rural communities.
To our witnesses, welcome. Before you speak, wait until I recognize you by name. When we get into the questions, you can just answer as they're directed. Comments should be addressed through the chair. Interpretation in this video conference is very much like that in a regular committee meeting. You can select, at the bottom of your screen, whether you hear English, French or floor. When speaking, please do so slowly and clearly for the interpreters, and when you're not speaking, you should be on mute.
Let me welcome the witnesses. We have today, as an individual, Katie Allen.
We also welcome Renée Fuchs, from the Centre Victoria pour femmes.
We have, from Red Deer County, Jean Bota, who is a councillor there.
Also joining us is the Mayor of the Ville de Magog, Ms. Vicki-May Hamm.
Each of you will have five minutes for your opening comments, and then we'll go into our rounds of questions.
We will begin right away with Ms. Allen for five minutes.