I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 122 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, the committee is resuming its study of the Competition Act and air travel in northern, rural and remote communities.
On avoiding audio feedback, before we begin, I'd like to remind all members and all other meeting participants in the room of the following important preventative measures.
To prevent disruptive and potentially harmful audio feedback incidents that can cause injuries, all in-person participants are reminded to keep their earpieces away from microphones at all times.
As indicated in the communiqué from the Speaker to all members on Monday, April 29, the following measures have been taken to help prevent audio feedback incidents: All earpieces have been replaced by a model that greatly reduces the probability of audio feedback. The new earpieces are black in colour, whereas the former earpieces were grey. Please use only the black approved earpiece. By default, all unused earpieces will be unplugged at the start of the meeting. When you're not using your earpiece, please place it face down on the middle of the sticker for this purpose that you will find on the table, as indicated. Please consult the cards on the table for guidelines to prevent audio feedback incidents.
Also, the room layout has been adjusted to increase the distance between microphones and reduce the chance of feedback from an ambient earpiece.
Of course, these measures are in place so that we can conduct our business without interruption and to protect the health and safety of all participants, including our interpreters.
Thank you all for your co-operation.
I'd now like to welcome our witnesses.
Colleagues, appearing before us from 11 to noon, we have, from the Department of Transport, Serge Bijimine, assistant deputy minister, policy; Jennifer Little, director general, air policy; Andy Cook, associate director general, civil aviation; and Vincent Millette, director, national air services policy.
Welcome to you all.
I will turn the floor over to you for your opening remarks.
You have five minutes, please.