I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 131 of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.
Before we start the meeting, I'd like to remind all in-person participants to read the best practices guidelines on the cards on the table. These measures are in place to protect the health and safety of all participants.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Friday, September 6, 2024, the committee is resuming its study of passenger rail service and the Via Rail Canada incident of August 31, 2024.
I'd now like to welcome our witnesses.
Appearing today, we have the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Transport. From the Department of Transport, we also have Arun Thangaraj, deputy minister; Lisa Setlakwe, assistant deputy minister, safety and security; and Craig Hutton, associate assistant deputy minister, policy.
Minister, we're going to give you five minutes for your opening remarks. The floor is yours.