Good afternoon, members, guests and witnesses.
Welcome to the 11th meeting of the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development. Pursuant to the Order of Reference of Monday, March 29, 2010, we have on the agenda today consideration of Bill C-3, An Act to promote gender equity in Indian registration by responding to the Court of Appeal for British Columbia decision in McIvor v. Canada (Registrar of Indian and Northern Affairs).
This afternoon we welcome the Canadian Human Rights Commission. We have with us Chief Commissioner Jennifer Lynch; Deputy Chief Commissioner David Langtry; Valerie Phillips, legal counsel; and Michael Smith, senior policy analyst. I know that Mr. Smith has joined us for the last several meetings, and we appreciate the attention of the commission.
Members, we have one hour for this first section. As you saw in our notice, after our first hour, we'll be taking up further consideration of this bill.
Ms. Lynch, I know that you have probably done this before and know that we begin with a 10-minute presentation, after which we'll go to questions from members. At this committee, we do a seven-minute question-and-answer round.
Welcome to our committee. Please begin.