Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Robertson, I'm going to start with you.
In your first recommendation, you talk about federal grant programs and that you want to ensure that those projects will align with the Canadian anti-racism strategy, “Changing Systems, Transforming Lives”. In the commentary around that recommendation, you specifically note the Laith Marouf scandal, which was a terrible scandal where someone who clearly expressed anti-Semitic and hateful views towards Jews received federal money.
When I read this, it reminded me of another scandal that unfolded over the summer, which was the appointment back in May or June by Minister Virani of Mr. Dattani to head the Canadian Human Rights Commission. Mr. Dattani was appointed and then resigned, and it was a real mess for the government. It got me thinking whether or not you think that this recommendation—the application of Canada's anti-racism strategy—should also be applied to the way appointments are conducted. I note, in fact, that in your public comments you said, “The Dattani saga highlights critical flaws in the Government's process for vetting candidates.... We call for a thorough investigation to ensure such oversights are prevented in the future.”
I wonder if you could comment on that or whether you have other ideas as to how the vetting of appointments, particularly with something so critical as the Canadian Human Rights Commission, could be conducted properly so that Canadians can have confidence in the impartiality of the people who are appointed to such important positions.