I call this meeting to order. Welcome to meeting number 111 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 and December 5, 2023, the committee is resuming its study of the recognition of Persian Gulf veterans and wartime service.
Today's meeting is taking place in hybrid format. Remember that comments must be addressed through the chair.
For the first hour, I have the honour to introduce the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Veterans Affairs.
She's joined by Paul Ledwell, deputy minister, and Mitch Freeman, director general, policy and research. They both come from Veterans Affairs.
I would like to welcome the three of you.
Minister, you have five minutes for your opening remarks. The members of Parliament will then ask you questions.
Minister, you have the floor.