I call the meeting to order.
Good afternoon, colleagues.
Welcome to meeting number 5 of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the House order of November 25, 2021. Members are attending in person in the room and remotely using the Zoom application. I would like to take this opportunity to remind all participants of this meeting that screenshots or taking photos of your screen is not permitted.
Given the ongoing pandemic situation and in light of the recommendations from public health authorities as well as the directive of the Board of Internal Economy on January 28, 2022, to remain healthy and safe, the following is recommended for all those attending the meeting in person: Anyone with symptoms should participate by Zoom, and not attend the meeting in person. Everyone must maintain two-metre physical distancing, whether seated or standing. Everyone must wear a non-medical mask when circulating in the room. It is recommended in the strongest possible terms that members wear their masks at all times, including when seated. Nonmedical masks, which provide better clarity over cloth masks, are available in the room.
Everyone present must maintain proper hand hygiene by using the hand sanitizer at the room entrance. Committee rooms are cleaned before and after each meeting. To maintain this, everyone is encouraged to clean surfaces such as the desk, chair and microphone with the provided disinfectant wipes when vacating or taking a seat.
As the chair, I'll be enforcing these measures for the duration of the meeting. I thank members in advance for their co-operation.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Monday, January 31, 2022, the committee is meeting to study the mandate letter of the Minister of Transport.
Appearing before us today, honourable colleagues, we have the Honourable Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport, and Michael Keenan, deputy minister. From the Department of Transport, we have Arun Thangaraj, associate deputy minister; Aaron McCrorie, associate assistant deputy minister of safety and security; and Serge Bijimine, assistant deputy minister of policy.
Minister, I know you have a hard stop today at 4:30, so without further ado, I'd like to turn the microphone over to you for your opening remarks. Thank you.