Good afternoon, everyone. I call to order meeting number 27 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.
As many of you know, once again 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 via the House of Commons website. So you are all aware, the webcast will always show the person speaking rather than the entirety of the committee.
To ensure an orderly meeting, I will point out a few rules to follow.
First off, members and witnesses may speak in the official language of their choice. Interpretation services are available for this meeting. You have the choice at the bottom of your screen of either “floor”, “English”, or “French”.
For members participating in person, proceed as you usually would when the whole committee is meeting in person in the committee room. Keep in mind the directives from the Board of Internal Economy regarding masking and health protocols.
Before speaking, please wait until I recognize you by name. If you are on the video conference, please click on the microphone icon to unmute yourself. For those in the room, your microphone will be controlled as normal by the proceedings and verification officer.
As a reminder, all comments by members and witnesses should be addressed through the chair. When you are not speaking, your mike should be on mute. With regard to a speaking list, as always, both the committee clerk and I will do the very best we can to maintain the order of speaking for all members, whether you are participating virtually or in person.
Members, pursuant to Standing Order 81(4), the committee will now commence its consideration of the main estimates 2021-22.
It's my pleasure now to introduce and welcome our witnesses.
Appearing for the first hour, from 3:30 to 4:30, we have the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, as well as the person I would call her right arm and sometimes both arms, Kelly Gillis, the deputy minister of Infrastructure and Communities.
Kelly, it's great to see you again.
For the second hour, between 4:30 and 5:30, we have witnesses from the Office of Infrastructure of Canada. Kelly Gillis, the deputy minister of infrastructure and communities, will continue to be with us, as well as Nathalie Bertrand, assistant deputy minister and chief financial officer, corporate services; Glenn Campbell, assistant deputy minister of investment, partnerships and innovation; Alison O'Leary, assistant deputy minister of program operations and communities and rural economic development; and Gerard Peets, assistant deputy minister of policy and results.
With that, welcome to all of you. It's great to have you at the committee.
We're going to start off with Minister McKenna.
Minister McKenna, you now have the floor for five minutes.