Hello, honourable colleagues. Welcome. Thank you for your vote of confidence and for giving me the opportunity to serve in this capacity. It's something I very much look forward to doing.
I've given some thought to this role and what I would envision this looking like going forward. I recognize, of course, that we represent different parties, different viewpoints. Of course, there will be times when we disagree, but my hope is that there will be many times when we are able to work collaboratively on projects that will advance our parliamentary system and uphold democracy.
There are a few values that I would invite you to help me, as chair, uphold. I would love for this to be a place of openness, a place where there is diversity of thought and belief, and where that is mutually respected. I would love for this to be a place where we are able to communicate with one another in a courteous manner. Around this table that means going through the chair, I would ask respectfully. Outside of this table, I encourage you to engage in rich dialogue with one another and to do so in a capacity that would help protect democracy.
As you're aware, at this table, it is our responsibility to bring about a measure of accountability to all those in public office. Within that, there is a fair bit of non-partisanship. There are four commissioners we will hopefully have the opportunity to hear from at different points in time, or perhaps all at once, depending on the will of this committee. There will be numerous other studies brought forward, including things having to do with lobbying, ethics, privacy or what have you. We get to decide. Again, it would be my hope that in many of these directions we are able to come together collaboratively. Where that is not possible, it would be my hope that we are at least respectful toward one another.
It is with anticipation that I take on this role. I am looking forward to doing my best to facilitate a culture of deep honour and respect around this table. Thank you for giving me that opportunity.
With that, I will move to more of the routine things we need to get done today. The first is that, if the committee is in agreement, I would invite the clerk to proceed with the election of the vice-chairs.