Good afternoon. My name is Nicole Dufour.
I am a lawyer with the Research and Legislation Service of the Barreau du Québec. With me today is Mr. Erik Vanchestein, who has been practising criminal and disciplinary law for more than 21 years. He is currently Vice-President of the Conseil de presse du Québec. He will be making the presentation on behalf of the Barreau du Québec regarding Bill C-426.
The Barreau du Québec is the professional association representing lawyers practising in Quebec. It has more than 22,000 members. Its primary mission is to protect the public, primarily by monitoring, regulating and overseeing the profession. The Bar is, indeed, a critical institution in a society such as ours, which is founded on the rule of law. In that context, the Bar has a social responsibility, namely to defend certain fundamental values consistent with a free and democratic society, including respect for human rights, the free flow of information and the right to a fair trial. The Bar also has a social responsibility to see to the proper administration of justice.
I would like to turn it over now to my colleague, Mr. Vanchestein.