Order.
We will now begin the 11th sitting of the Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development.
Today we have three guests with us. Normally when one introduces distinguished guests, one says something to the effect that they need no introduction, and then proceed to give an elaborate introduction. But in the interests of time, I'm not going to do that. Our guests really do need no introduction, and it would take more time to say their names and who they represent.
Bernard Amyot is the president of the Canadian Bar Association. Lorne Waldman is an executive member of the national citizenship and immigration law section of that association. And David Matas is coming here as an individual.
Before turning the floor over to our witnesses, I want to alert the committee members to a number of things. First of all, on the matter of upcoming business, we have a meeting tomorrow at which, with any luck, we can conclude or at least further discuss our Cuba report. As well, the clerk either has circulated or will circulate a schedule to us that relates both to the ongoing Omar Khadr hearings and the other matters we're looking at. We will have a chance to discuss and flesh out that schedule tomorrow.
Last week when we had our first witness here, I proposed a set of rules. I am proposing that we follow them again and have five-minute rounds of questioning rather than seven-minute rounds. The logic of this is that it will allow us to get through two rounds. If we go to seven-minute questions the first time around, it will effectively mean that everybody will get two questions, except Mr. Marston, who I will note has been the most conscientious member of our committee in keeping his questions short. So that would not be fair. So can I ask that we have agreement to have five-minute rounds both times?
Okay, I'm not seeing any dissent.
Can I also ask that as long as we continue these hearings in one-hour slots, we stick with the five-minute rule for both rounds. That way I won't have to ask every time. Is that cool?