Good afternoon, colleagues. Welcome to meeting No. 9 of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development.
Pursuant to the motion adopted on January 31, 2022, the committee is meeting on the mandate letter of the Minister of International Development. To ensure an orderly meeting I would like to outline a few rules to follow, as usual.
Interpretation is available for this meeting by clicking on the globe icon at the bottom of your screen.
For those of you participating in person, please keep in mind the Board of Internal Economy's guidelines for mask use and health protocols.
Please note that taking screenshots or photos of your screen is not permitted. Before speaking, please wait until I recognize you by name.
When you have the floor, speak slowly and clearly. When you are not speaking, please put your microphone on mute.
I would also like to remind you that comments and observations made by members and witnesses must be directed to the chair.
Colleagues, without further ado, I would now like to welcome Minister Sajjan to the meeting along with a team of senior officials.
We have with us from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, Peter MacDougall, deputy minister of international development and assistant deputy minister, global issues and development.
We also welcome Caroline Leclerc, assistant deputy minister, Partnerships for Development Innovation.
We also have Sandra McCardell, assistant deputy minister, Europe, Arctic, Middle East and Maghreb; and Paul Thoppil, assistant deputy minister, Asia-Pacific.
On behalf of the committee, I extend a very warm welcome to all of you.
Minister, I will now turn the floor over to you for five minutes of opening remarks. Members will then have the opportunity to ask questions.
Please go ahead, Minister Sajjan.