Ladies and gentlemen, let's call the meeting to order.
First of all, thank you, everyone, for coming out today. I apologize for running a bit behind. There was a meeting before us, and I appreciate the work of our support team here getting things ready as quickly as they have.
I would like to advise all members that today's meeting is being held in public. I would also like to advise members that we're going to need about 15 to 20 minutes at the end of the meeting—I will watch the time, of course—to discuss future business regarding our study on Bill C-31, particularly respecting witnesses. But we'll leave that until the end.
The third thing I would like members to be aware of is that we have received some motions. We'll distribute them in one second. Mr. Lukiwski has provided us with motions; I'll distribute those to the committee, and we can discuss them later.
Next, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to welcome the Honourable Rob Nicholson, sponsor of the bill.
Mr. Nicholson, thank you very much for being with us today. If you would be so kind as to introduce your team, then we can begin.
Let me ask folks on the periphery of the room to keep the conversations to a minimum, out of respect for our witnesses.
Mr. Nicholson, please.