I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 69 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs.
For the first hour, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Thursday, March 9, 2023, the committee is resuming its study of the national monument to Canada's mission in Afghanistan.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the Standing Orders. Members are attending in person in the room and remotely by using the Zoom application.
Although the room is equipped with a sound system that performs well, it is possible that audio feedback will occur, which can be extremely harmful to the interpreters and cause serious hearing injuries. So I would ask all the witnesses and committee members to avoid putting their earpieces too close to the mike, which can cause interference, which in turn can hurt our interpreters. So you must pay close attention.
As a reminder, all comments should be addressed through the chair.
Lastly, pursuant to our routine motion, the connection tests were correctly done before the meeting.
I would like to extend a very warm welcome to our witnesses today.
Testifying as an individual, we have François Le Moine, lawyer, and Francyne Lord, public art consultant. By videoconference, we have, from the Canada Research Chair in Architecture, Competitions and Mediations of Excellence, Jean-Pierre Chupin, full professor from the Université de Montréal. From Team Daoust, we have Renée Daoust, founding partner, architect and urbanist, and Luca Fortin, artist and architect.
Allow me as well to welcome some new members who will be taking part in the meeting with us today. We have with us Mr. Boulerice, who is replacing Rachel Blaney, and Mr. Paul-Hus, who is replacing Fraser Tolmie.
I also have my cards so I can inform you when you have one minute left. When I raise the red card, it's like in soccer, you have to stop because you are time is up.
We also have opening statements, and I would like Team Daoust to speak first. Since there are two of you, you may share the first five minutes.
Ms. Daoust and Mr. Fortin, the floor is yours.