I declare the meeting open.
Good morning.
Welcome to meeting number 107 of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on March 21, 2024, the committee is beginning its study of Islamophobia.
In regard to avoiding audio feedback, I want to remind members and all meeting participants in the room of the following important preventative measures. To prevent disruptive and potentially harmful audio feedback incidents that can cause injuries, all in-person participants are reminded to keep their earpieces away from all microphones at all times.
As indicated in the communiqué from the Speaker to members on April 29, the following measures have been taken to help prevent audio feedback incidents. All earpieces have been replaced by a model that reduces the probability of audio feedback. Please use the approved earpiece. For all unused earpieces, if you're not using them, keep them unplugged. Please consult the cards on the table for guidelines.
These measures are in place so that we can conduct our business without interruption and protect the health and safety of participants, including the interpreters.
I thank you in advance for your co‑operation.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format. All our witnesses are appearing by video conference this morning. In accordance with the committee's routine motion concerning connection tests for witnesses, I'm informing the committee that all witnesses have completed the required connection tests in advance of the meeting.
For the benefit of members and witnesses, wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. As a reminder, all comments are to be addressed through the chair.
For the benefit of any new members attending this morning—welcome to our meeting—and for the benefit of our witnesses, I will use a card to tell you that you have 30 seconds left. When the time is up, I will gently pull up another card. I might give you a couple of seconds extra to wrap up; otherwise, I will need to interrupt you. Don't take it personally. That's just how things are done in committees.
This morning we will have one panel. It will go until one o'clock. All witnesses are appearing by video conference and they will all be on the same panel.
I've been given the names of members who will be asking questions. I will start with—