Welcome to meeting number 104 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motions adopted by the committee on March 9, 2023, and December 5, 2023, the committee is resuming its study on the recognition of Persian Gulf veterans and wartime service.
I would like to welcome Ms. Jean Yip to our committee. She's replacing Mr. Miao.
Before we begin, I would ask everyone participating in the meeting, whether in person or by video conference, to avoid bringing their earpieces close to their microphones when speaking, because this creates feedback that can cause hearing injury, especially to interpreters. So I ask everyone to be careful.
Today's meeting is being held in hybrid format, in accordance with the Standing Orders.
I remind you that all comments from participants must be addressed to the chair.
Now I would like to welcome our witness today.
We have, as an individual, Ms. Nina Charlene Usherwood. She's going to be with us by video conference.
Before I give you the floor for five minutes for your opening statement, I have to go to Mr. Blake Richards.