I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 34 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted on September 22, the committee is meeting to begin its study of the subject matter of Bill C-28, an act to amend the Criminal Code, self-induced extreme intoxication.
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 using the Zoom application.
I'd like to take a few moments 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 yourself 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.
I will remind you 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” function. The clerk and I will manage the speaking order as well as we can. We appreciate your patience and understanding in this regard.
I would also like to inform the members that all tests involving the witnesses have been performed successfully.
Also, I use a little cue card system. When you have 30 seconds left, I'll raise the yellow card. When you're out of time, I'll raise the red. I ask that you conclude in that time so I don't have to interrupt you. I don't want to wreck the flow of your conversation.
I'd now like to welcome our witnesses appearing today.
For the first hour, we have Elizabeth Sheehy, professor emerita of law, University of Ottawa; Kerri Froc, associate professor, University of New Brunswick; and Isabel Grant by video conference.
Welcome to the committee. You each have five minutes. Afterwards, we'll have subsequent rounds of questions.
We'll begin with Ms. Sheehy for five minutes—or whoever would like to start. It's your choice.