I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number five of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Monday, July 7, 2025, the committee is commencing its study of the Canada Infrastructure Bank's financing of new vessels for BC Ferries.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the Standing Orders. Members may attend in person in the room and remotely by using the Zoom application.
Before we continue, I would 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 feedback incidents and to protect, of course, the health and safety of all participants, including our interpreters. You will also notice a QR code on the card, which links to a short awareness video.
I'd like to make a few comments before we begin for the benefit of witnesses and members. Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. For those participating by video conference, please click on the microphone icon to activate your mic. 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.
As a reminder, all comments should be addressed through the chair. For members in the room, if you wish to speak, please raise your hand. The clerk and I will manage the speaking order as best we can. We appreciate your patience and understanding in this regard.
Before we welcome our first witness today, I would like to express, on behalf of all members, that our thoughts are with all Canadians affected by the ongoing forest fires across the country, and express our appreciation to all the first responders and firefighters who are doing their best to manage these.
Appearing before us, colleagues, for the first hour of today's five-hour meeting is the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade.