Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
I realize there's a small army of us appearing before you today. We figured that this was the best way to ensure that we can answer all of the committee's questions.
Thank you for inviting me and my colleagues to appear today in relation to the address to Parliament by His Excellency Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which took place on September 22, 2023. Given what transpired during the event, I certainly recognize the desire of all members to ensure that such an incident never occurs again.
I am here to give the committee a description of the House administration’s role in extending invitations to guests during addresses to Parliament and in screening them for physical threats.
From time to time, the House of Commons chamber is the site for a joint address to Parliament by a distinguished visitor, usually a head of state or head of government.
As host, the Speaker takes a pre-eminent role in such events, which are organized in accordance with an established protocol.