Thank you, Chair.
I want to thank Ms. Hawara and Ms. Pereira for being here and sharing your time and your expertise.
Bill C-25, the strong and free elections act, reflects a simple but essential principle that democracy must be both open and secure. Canada's electoral system is among the most trusted in the world, but trust is not static. It must be actively protected as threats evolve, so this bill, I believe, responds directly to recommendations from the public inquiry into foreign interference, the Chief Electoral Officer and the commissioner of Canada elections, who we'll be hearing from subsequently. It addresses real and emerging risks, foreign interference, disinformation, deepfakes, dark money, cyber-threats and physical intimidation without compromising freedom of expression, political participation or legitimate debate.
We're here in committee to discuss the scope of the bill, that it be targeted and proportional but, at the same time, preserve openness and accessibility to serious candidates, parties and voters.
Can either of you share with me some of the safeguards that the bill has that would ensure it captures only intentional, harmful conduct and not possibly a good-faith disagreement or error.