Thank you, Madam Chair.
I thank the witnesses very much for coming here today to discuss a very important topic for our community. I am a graduate of Laurentian University, as are my father and daughter, and the news on April 12 when the court proceedings ended shook the community to its core. I myself was extremely disappointed and frustrated at programs being terminated at Laurentian University, which also saw its image become tarnished. I am still very proud of the university, but I'm having trouble accepting the process.
I know I don't have a lot of time, Mr. Haché, but we need to regain the community's trust. Today in committee we are specifically looking at the midwifery program.
Mr. Haché, we've heard repeatedly that there's an urgency to keep the midwifery program in northern Ontario. It's been our pride for the last 28 to 30 years because it's rural focused and it's in northern Ontario, with strong partnerships with Laurentian and Lakehead and a focus on indigenous studies, and it's the only bilingual program in Canada. Can you confirm today what efforts are being made to support this program to stay in northern Ontario?