I'd like to call the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights to order. It is Monday, October 16, 2006.
Here are the orders of the day: pursuant to the order of reference of Tuesday, June 6, 2006, Bill C-9, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conditional sentence of imprisonment).
Appearing before the committee are a number of witnesses. I'll just refer to the organizations they represent: the Probation Officers Association of Ontario; the Canadian Council of Criminal Defence Lawyers; the Native Women's Association of Canada; and the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies. We also have one individual, Mr. Julian Roberts.
First of all, I want to apologize to the witnesses sitting before us. We had some committee business that we had to contend with, and unfortunately it ran a little longer than anticipated. I know you were inconvenienced by having to stand out in the hallway. I apologize. The committee apologizes to you.
I would ask that we now proceed according to the order that appears on the orders of the day. The Probation Officers Association of Ontario can begin.