I call the meeting to order. Good morning, everyone.
Welcome, everyone, to meeting number 138 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format.
I would like to remind participants of the following points. Before speaking, please wait until I recognize you by name. For members participating in person—thank you, Ms. Dea—or by Zoom, please raise your hand if you wish to speak. The clerk and I will do our best, as always, to maintain the speaking order for you. This is a reminder that all comments should be directed through the chair, as always.
All witnesses have completed the required connection tests in advance of this meeting. I will say that Richard Moon is not with us in the first hour and a half. He had technical issues, so we have only three guests.
Our study is on the protection of freedom of expression, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Wednesday, September 18, 2024. The committee shall resume its study of the protection of freedom of expression.
I would like to welcome our witnesses today.
We have with us Shannon Dea, dean, faculty of arts, University of Regina.
We have Emily Laidlaw, associate professor and Canada research chair, cybersecurity law, University of Calgary. She is on video conference.
We also have Ga Grant from B.C., staff litigation counsel with the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association.
Once again, Mr. Moon is not with us. We have only three guests.
We have an extended meeting of three hours today. There's one hour more. My plan today would be, probably, to go until 12:20 to begin the three hours. Then we'll take a break and get set for the second group. That will give us time for a little lunch, maybe a 10- or 15-minute break. Then we'll go from 12:20 to about 12:35, after we get our sound checks for the second group. That's the game plan.
We also have question periods, so maybe we can get out of here by 1:50 to 1:55. We'll see how it goes.
Shannon Dea, dean of the faculty of arts, you have five minutes. Welcome to Canadian Heritage.
Go ahead.