Thank you for the invitation to present to you today the Canadian Bar Association's views on Bill C-32.
The CBA is a national association of over 37,000 lawyers, law students, notaries, and academics. An important aspect of our mandate is seeking improvement in the law and in the administration of justice. It's that aspect of our mandate that brings us to you today.
Our submission on Bill C-32 was prepared by our national criminal justice section, which represents a balance of crown and defence lawyers from across the country. With me is Eric Gottardi, the chair of that section. He practises primarily as a defence lawyer in Vancouver, but frequently acts as crown as well. I'll turn it over to him to address the substance of our submission and respond to your questions.
Thank you.