Please join me in welcoming David Skirka to the stage.

Good afternoon, everyone.

Thank you for joining the Empire Club's Financial Outlook, a post-inauguration look at Canada's place in the global economy in 2025 and beyond.

National Bank Financial is a proud sponsor of today's luncheon, where we'll hear from a very esteemed group of experts on markets, economics, and policy matters.

National Bank is proud to be fiercely Canadian serving businesses, financial sponsors, and governments wherever they may take them and their ambitions as well.

Given the topic today, and it being the day after President Trump returned to the White House, this session of the Empire Club will be the greatest session of the Empire Club in the history of the Empire Club forever and furthermore.

I'm glad you're all here to make the Empire Club great again.