We will now resume our meeting.
As I started to say, I have an important warning to make regarding acoustic incidents. I'd like to remind all MPs and meeting participants in the room of the following important preventive measures.
To prevent disruptive, potentially dangerous and injury-causing acoustic incidents, I remind all participants to keep their earpieces away from all microphones at all times.
As indicated in the Speaker's press release of Monday, April 29, which is addressed to all MPs, the following measures have been taken to help prevent acoustic incidents.
All earpieces have been replaced with a model that significantly reduces the likelihood of an acoustic incident.
The new earpieces are black while the old earpieces were grey. Please use only an approved black earpiece.
By default, all unused earpieces at the start of a meeting will be disconnected.
When your earpiece is not in use, please place it face down in the middle of the sticker on the table to your right.
Please refer to the cards on the table for guidelines on preventing acoustic incidents.
The room layout has also been adjusted to increase the distance between microphones and reduce the risk of acoustic feedback related to a nearby earpiece. These measures are in place so that we can operate without interruption and protect the health and safety of all participants, including interpreters.
I thank you for your co-operation.
I'd now like to welcome our witnesses.
Before we start, I would like to apologize on behalf of the committee. I know we were trying to have you for another meeting and that because of our agenda, it was impossible. Today we are pleased to welcome you at the committee.
We now welcome the first panel of witnesses.
As individuals, we have have Mr. Phillip Lopresti and Mark Meincke. Mr. Meincke is a retired corporal and host of Operation Tango Romeo, a trauma recovery podcast for military, veterans, first responders and their families. He is here by video conference.
We also have, from Helmets to Hardhats, Major-General (Retired) Paul Bury, director.
You're going to have five minutes each for your opening remarks. After that, members of the committee will ask you questions.
I will start right away with Mr. Phillip Lopresti.
You have five minutes for your opening statement. Please go ahead.