I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 54 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted on January 30, 2023, the committee is beginning its study on Canada's bail system.
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 make a few comments for the benefit of the witnesses and members.
Please wait until I recognize you before speaking. If you're on Zoom, please use the “raise hand” function, and the clerk and I will do our best to identify you and put you on the speaking order. For translation, those of you who are here can select floor, English or French. If you're on Zoom, please use the icon at the bottom and choose the same: floor, English or French. All comments are to be addressed to the chair.
I use queue cards. I don't like interrupting when you're down to 30 seconds, so I'll raise the yellow queue card. When you're out of time, it's the red card. I ask that you respect the time constraints.
I want to take a moment to say, on behalf of the justice committee.... I'd like to express my deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the Edmonton police officers, Constable Jordan and Constable Ryan, who lost their lives while serving in the line of duty. I know it means a lot to everyone. We need to remember them, and I thought I'd do that at the beginning of this meeting.
We are now resuming the study on Canada's bail system.
Appearing today are Tom Stamatakis, president, Canadian Police Association, and Boris Bytensky, treasurer, Criminal Lawyers' Association.
Welcome. I am told that, by the time both of you finish your opening remarks, the Honourable Bronwyn Eyre, Minister of Justice and Attorney General for the Government of Saskatchewan, should be here via Zoom. I believe she is in a committee, right now, and should be out shortly.
We'll begin with you, Mr. Stamatakis, for five minutes, with questions and answers after that. Thank you.