We will resume.
Mesdames et messieurs, for the second hour, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Thursday, March 9, 2023, the committee is commencing its study of the national monument to Canada’s mission in Afghanistan.
Before welcoming my colleagues, I would simply like to provide a brief reminder regarding ground rules.
The following routine motions were adopted at the committee's first meeting of this session:
That only the clerk of the committee be authorized to distribute documents to members of the committee and only when such documents exist in both official languages, and that witnesses be advised accordingly. That all documents submitted for committee business that do not come from a federal department, member's offices, the office of the clerk of the committee and the office of the analyst or that have not been translated by the Translation Bureau be sent for prior linguistic review by the Translation Bureau before being distributed to members.
That's what we've been seeing recently. We can't prevent people from sending emails directly to other members, but it's important that those emails be translated in order to be official. If the report mentions it, then those reports can subsequently be cited.
With that, I want to greet our colleague Mr. Paul‑Hus, who is replacing Mr. Dowdall. I would also like to welcome witnesses who are here with us for the second hour.
Ladies and gentlemen, we have the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Veterans Affairs, and the Honourable Pascale St‑Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage.
From the Department of Canadian Heritage, we also have deputy minister Isabelle Mondou. She is joined by Emmanuelle Sajous, assistant deputy minister, sport, major events and commemorations.
From the Department of Veterans affairs, we have Paul Ledwell, who is a committee regular, and Amy Meunier, assistant deputy minister, commemoration and public affairs branch.
There will be a period of questions, but first the ministers will deliver their opening statements.
I would like to invite the Honourable Pascale St‑Onge to make her presentation.
You have five minutes.