I call the meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 106 of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs. The committee is meeting today to begin its study of parliamentary protocol related to the incident in the Speaker's gallery on Friday, September 22, 2023.
Care for the interpreters must be taken. The House administration is here, so I'm sure you know very well that the earpiece is a resource and a tool, not a gadget. If you could keep it away from the microphone, that would be great for the ears of the interpreters.
We received an email that was circulated last night with regard to someone who has some experience on this file and who would like to appear. I would ask members if we are good with inviting this individual. We can also discuss this at the end of the meeting. Are we okay with having this individual appear? Are there any concerns? We'll find a suitable spot for them and we can proceed accordingly. The clerk and I can determine that. Thank you.
We will maintain a consolidated speaking list.
Today we have with us Eric Janse, the Clerk of the House of Commons; Michel Bédard, Law Clerk and Parliamentary Council, Office of the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel; Patrick McDonell, Sergeant-at-Arms and corporate security officer—whom I thank always for his and his team's service—Jeffrey LeBlanc, deputy clerk, procedure; Stéphan Aubé, acting deputy clerk, administration; Jeremy LeBlanc, clerk assistant and director general, International and Interparliamentary Affairs; and Nancy Anctil, chief of protocol and events management.
I understand there is one person providing opening comments. That person will have up to 10 minutes for those comments, and then we will start with questions and comments from committee members.
The floor is yours. Welcome to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs.