I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to the 21st meeting of the Special Joint Committee on the Declaration of Emergency created pursuant to the order of the House on March 2, 2022 and the Senate on March 3, 2022.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the House and Senate orders.
Should any technical issues arise, please advise me, as we may need to suspend for a few minutes to ensure that all members are able to fully participate.
Witnesses should be aware that translation is available through the globe icon at the bottom of the screen.
I wish to inform members that Professor Roach has undergone all technical tests successfully, and both witnesses have been informed of their duty as it pertains to responding to questions.
I always like to provide a bit of a preamble to the witnesses that, given the nature of the committee, you may find from time to time that a parliamentarian may interject to take back their time. They may interrupt you. Please don't take that personally; it's not a personal affront. They have a long list of questions and a very short period of time in which to conduct them. We ask that you acknowledge, if a senator or an MP interjects, that it's not a personal affront to you.
For our first panel this evening, we have with us, by video conference, Kent Roach, professor in the faculty of law at the University of Toronto. Here in the room, we have Leah West, assistant professor at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University.
You will each have five minutes for your opening remarks. We'll begin online.
Professor Roach, the floor is yours.