I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 32 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women. Today's meeting is taking place in hybrid format, pursuant to the House order of January 25, 2021, and the proceedings will be made available via the House of Commons website. The webcast shows the person speaking rather than the entire committee.
Today our committee is beginning its study on midwifery services across Canada.
For the benefit of the witnesses, when you want to speak, you can click on the microphone icon to activate your mike, and your comment should be addressed through the chair. Interpretation is available. If you look at the bottom of your screen, you can select the language you prefer. When speaking, please speak slowly and clearly for our interpreters. When you're not speaking, your mike should be on mute.
Now let me welcome our witnesses who are joining us for our first panel. They'll each have five minutes for their opening remarks.
We have Lisa Morgan, who is a registered midwife. We also have Tom Fenske, who is the president of the Laurentian University Staff Union.
Lisa, we'll start with you. You have five minutes.