I call this meeting to order. Good evening and welcome to meeting number 33 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, and the proceedings will be made available via the House of Commons website.
I would like to make a few comments for the benefit of the witnesses. Today our committee is continuing its study of midwifery services across Canada. If you're speaking, you're going to click on the microphone icon to activate it. I remind you that all comments should be addressed through the chair, and if you need interpretation, at the bottom of your screen you can choose English, French or the floor. When speaking, please speak slowly and clearly so that the interpreters can hear and interpret. When you're not speaking, your microphone should be on mute.
I'd like to welcome our witnesses. Each of you will have five minutes for your opening remarks, and then we'll go into our rounds of questions. We have Dr. Susan James with us tonight, and from the Association of Ontario Midwives, Jasmin Tecson, the president. From McMaster University, we have Kirsty Bourret, adjunct scientist at the McMaster Midwifery Research Centre.
Dr. James, we'll begin with you. You have five minutes.