I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 28 of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Thursday, December 11, 2025, the committee is resuming its study of supporting, diversifying and modernizing Quebec and Canada's ports. Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the Standing Orders.
Before we continue, I'd like to ask all in-person participants to consult the guidelines written on the cards on the table. These measures are in place to help prevent audio and feedback incidents and to protect the health and safety of all of our participants, including, of course, our interpreters. You'll notice a QR code on the card, which links to a short awareness video.
I'd like to make a few comments for the benefit of our witnesses and members.
First, please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. For those participating by video conference, click on the microphone icon to activate your mic, and please mute yourself when you are not speaking.
For those on Zoom, at the bottom of your screen, you can select the appropriate channel for interpretation: floor, English or French. For those in the room, you can use the earpiece and select the desired channel.
This is a reminder that all comments should be addressed through the chair.
For members in the room, if you wish to speak, please raise your hand. For members on Zoom, please use the “raise hand” function. The clerk and I will manage the speaking order as best we can. We appreciate your patience and understanding in this regard.
Colleagues, I'd now like to welcome our witnesses for the first round today. From the National Maritime Group, we have Mr. Derrick Hynes, interim president and chief executive officer. From the Railway Association of Canada, we have Mr. Eric Harvey, president and chief executive officer. From the Toronto Port Authority, we have Mr. Atul Sharma, senior director of government and stakeholder relations, who is joining us by video conference.
Welcome.
We'll begin our opening remarks. For that, I'll turn the floor over to you, Mr. Hynes. You have five minutes.