I call the meeting to order.

Welcome to meeting number 39 of the House of Commons Special Committee on the Canada-People's Republic of China Relationship. Pursuant to the order of reference of May 16, 2022, the committee is meeting for its study of the Canada-People's Republic of China relations.

I would like you to pay special attention to the following.

We need to avoid audio feedback. I understand that we had another injury amongst our interpreters, so we need to be extra careful. Before we begin, I'd like to remind all members and other meeting participants in the room of the following important preventative measures.

To prevent disruptive and potentially harmful audio feedback incidents that can cause injuries, all in-person participants are reminded to keep their earpieces away from all microphones at all times. As indicated in the communiqué from the Speaker to all members on Monday, April 29—today—the following measures have been taken to prevent audio feedback incidents.

All earpieces have been replaced by a model that greatly reduces the probability of audio feedback. The new earpieces are black in colour, whereas the former earpieces were gray. Please use only the black approved earpiece. By default, all unused earpieces will be unplugged at the start of the meeting.

When you're not using your earpiece, please place it face down on the middle of the sticker, which you'll find on the table for this purpose, as indicated. Please consult the cards on the table for guidance to prevent audio feedback incidents.

The room layout has been adjusted to increase the distance between microphones and reduce the chance of feedback from ambient earpieces.

These measures are in place so that we can conduct our business without interruption and to protect the health and safety of all participants, including the interpreters.

I'd like to thank all of you for your co-operation.

Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format. Members are attending in person in the room and remotely using the Zoom application.

Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. For those participating by video conference, click on the microphone icon to activate your microphone, and please mute yourself when you're not speaking.

For interpretation for those on Zoom, you have the choice at the bottom of your screen of either the floor, English or French. For those in the room, you can use the earpiece and select the desired channel. As a reminder, all comments should be addressed through the chair.

For members in the room, if you wish to speak, please raise your hand. For members on Zoom, please use the “raise hand” function. The clerk and I will manage the speaking order as best we can, and we appreciate your patience and understanding in this regard.

Per the motion adopted on March 26, 2024, we are hearing testimony in relation to the matters revealed in the Winnipeg lab documents.

We have some substitutions today: Mr. Naqvi is in for MP Oliphant, Mr. Angus for MP McPherson, Mr. Cooper for MP Lantsman and MP Ellis for Mr. Kurek.

Mr. Kurek will be a new permanent member of this committee, I understand.

Now I'd like to welcome our witnesses for our first panel.

Nathalie G. Drouin is the deputy clerk of the Privy Council Office and national security and intelligence adviser to the Prime Minister, and she is accompanied by David Vigneault, director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.

Ms. Drouin, you have up to five minutes to deliver your opening remarks. We thank you for your patience while we got the voting business out of the way.

Ken Hardie

$613,722.00