Thank you, Mr. Lemire.
You’re absolutely right. Committee members decide on all matters relating to our committee.
I would like to welcome everyone to the first meeting of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Accounts.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the Standing Orders. I think everyone here is in person; nobody is on Zoom. Members do have that option to join remotely, except for the chairs of all House of Commons parliamentary committees.
Before we begin, I would like to ask all participants to read the guidelines written on the updated cards on the table. This is with respect to the translation and the audio system. These measures are in place to help prevent audio and feedback incidents and to protect the health and safety of all participants, including the interpreters. You will also notice a QR code on the card, which links to a short awareness video.
This is a rather important matter. The interpreters do yeoman's work ensuring that debates are free-flowing here in both official languages. That said, if we are not careful, we can do harm to the interpreters if there is audio feedback. If you don't need the interpretation or the earpiece, just put it aside. If you do use it—you are certainly entitled to, and we encourage you to, just for clarity—please be sure that the earpiece is well away from the microphone when you are speaking. This is something I will remind members of frequently, usually at each meeting before we begin.
I have some general comments.
I would like to remind participants of the following points: Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking, and please address all comments through the chair.
I am just going to check with the clerk about next steps, because I think there are a couple of routine motions that we need to pass in order to get the committee business rolling in the days, weeks and months ahead.
We have a number of routine motions. I would ask members, if they would like to speak to any of them, to flag me or the clerk. That's true whether you are here in person or online. The clerk and I will manage the speaking order.
I suggest the next order of business is that the committee proceed with the adoption of its routine motions, of which there are many. You were sent them in the last couple of days by the clerk. These can be moved individually or they can be moved as a group, but I will turn it over to members to decide how we proceed.
I recognize Mrs. Kusie.