I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 28 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted on February 8, the committee is meeting on its study of the government's obligations to victims of crime.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the House order of June 23, 2022. Members are attending in person in the room and remotely by using the Zoom application.
I'd like to make a few comments for the benefit of the witnesses and members.
Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. For those participating by video conference, click on the microphone icon to activate your mike. Please mute it when you're not speaking.
For interpretation for those on Zoom, you have the choice at the bottom of your screen of floor, English or French. For those in the room, you can use the earpiece and select the desired channel on the mike.
This is a reminder that all comments should be addressed through the chair.
For members in the room, if you wish to speak, please raise your hand. For members on Zoom, please use the “raise hand” feature. The clerk and I will manage the speaking order as best we can, and we appreciate your patience and understanding in this regard.
I want to thank our member Mr. Cooper, whose bill was passed in the House yesterday. Thank you. I'm looking forward to seeing it.
I would now like to welcome our witnesses, Sheri Arsenault, Irvin Waller and Jo-Anne Wemmers.
You have five minutes each. Just so you know, I'll give you a 30-second cue card when you're in the last 30 seconds, and then I'll give an out-of-time card at the end. I ask that you try to comply with those. If you haven't made your point, try to flesh it out in one of the questions afterward. The same applies when questions are being asked.
I'll begin with Sheri Arsenault for five minutes.