Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen.
Thank you for putting your trust in me as chair.
I understand that according to our agenda we have until 12:30 to deal with this matter, and then we're going in camera at 12:30 to deal with committee business.
Please forgive me; it's been a long time since I've been chair of a committee, but I do appreciate the honour of having this opportunity. When I was a chair, as some members will know, I was rigorous with time allotments. If the decision is for seven-minute rounds, and it is, it will be seven minutes both for the member and for the witness to answer. I'm going to hold to that, and I'll try to be as fair as possible through this whole process.
I welcome the Honourable Irwin Cotler. I understand you have an opening statement, and we'll invite you to make that statement now, please.