I call this meeting to order.
I know some members are still making their way from the House, as we did have two votes right after question period, but we should get started. We have only two hours today. We have until 5:30.
This is the 38th meeting of the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology. We are being televised today. It is pursuant to the order of reference of Monday, November 6, 2006. We are studying Bill C-26, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (criminal interest rate).
We have with us today witnesses from the Department of Industry and the Department of Justice. The entire committee would like to welcome, first of all, from the Department of Industry, Mr. Michael Jenkin. Mr. Jenkin is director general of the office of consumer affairs and co-chair of the federal, provincial, and territorial consumer measures committee. Welcome, Mr. Jenkin.
We also welcome Mr. David Clarke, senior analyst in consumer policy in the office of consumer affairs.
From the Department of Justice we have with us Mr. Matthew Taylor, counsel, criminal law policy section. Welcome. We also have Mr. William C. Bartlett, senior counsel, criminal law policy section. Welcome, gentlemen, to the committee.
The committee allows for 10-minute opening statements. Mr. Jenkin, we'll let you start off any time.