I call this meeting to order. Welcome to meeting number 31 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.
Today, we have MP Pam Damoff replacing Mike Kelloway.
Welcome back, Pam. It's so great to have you back.
To ensure an orderly meeting, I'd like to outline a few rules to follow.
As our witnesses know, there are interpretation services available. You have a choice at the bottom of your Zoom screen. Select the language that you would like to listen to. You can speak in any language you like. When you are not speaking, you should be on mute.
Please do wait for me to recognize you by name before you start speaking. I will remind everyone that all comments by witnesses and members should be addressed through the chair. With respect to a speaking list, the clerk and I will do our best to maintain one and make sure that everybody is accommodated.
Now, before we get to our witnesses today and start the hearing, I'd like to get the committee's approval for the operational budget that was distributed to members yesterday. The budget is in the amount of $1,775. It will serve to pay our expenses for the current study. Do I have the members' approval with a thumbs-up?
Okay. That's carried. Thank you very much.
Now I would like to welcome our witnesses. We have, appearing as an individual, Mr. Todd McCarthy, who is a barrister and solicitor. We also have with us the Professional Transcriptionists and Court Reporters Association of Ontario, represented by Joanne Hardie, who is the president.
To the witnesses—and for members—you will have five minutes to make your opening remarks. I have a one-minute time card and a 30-second time card to help you keep track so that we can keep our meeting on track.
With that, we'll start our panel with Mr. Todd McCarthy for five minutes.