I call this meeting to order.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, the committee is resuming its study on the protection of freedom of expression.
All witnesses have completed the required connection tests in advance of the meeting. I would like to welcome our witnesses.
As individuals, we have Karim Bardeesy, executive director of the Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University; Arnaud Bernadet, associate professor at McGill University; Father Raymond J. de Souza; and Charles Le Blanc, full professor at the department of philosophy at the University of Ottawa. From the National Council of Canadian Muslims, we have Nusaiba Al-Azem, director of legal affairs. From Queer Momentum, we have Fae Johnstone, executive director.
Some witnesses are on video conference. We have two witnesses in the room: Father de Souza and Monsieur Le Blanc.
I'll quickly tell you how we run the show. Each individual has five minutes. If there's more than one person for a group, the group still has five minutes. I will give you a 30-second shout-out, literally. I will say, “30 seconds”, and then you'll have to wrap up. If you didn't finish what you had to say, you can expand on it during the question and answer period, when committee members begin to ask you questions.
I would like to begin with Karim Bardeesy, executive director of the Dais, for five minutes, please.