Welcome to meeting number 56 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 pursuing 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 and also using the Zoom application.
I have just a few remarks for the witnesses and members. Please wait until I recognize you by name before you speak. For those on Zoom, use the “raise hand” function to identify yourself if you wish to speak, and then activate your mike. Please mute yourself when you are not speaking.
Regarding interpretation, for those in the room, just make sure you put it on the choice you want—English, floor or French audio. The same goes for those joining via Zoom: Please select your desired channel.
I use a couple of cue cards just for those who don't know. When you're down to 30 seconds, I will raise the yellow 30-second cue card, so try to keep an eye out for that. When you're out of time, I'll raise the red one, and I'll just ask you to wrap up within a few seconds of that.
That being said, we have three witnesses in the first hour. We have Greg DelBigio from the Canadian Council of Criminal Defence Lawyers, online, I think. We have Garen Arnet-Zargarian, a member of the board of directors for the Criminal Defence Advocacy Society, here in person. We also have Melanie Webb from the Canadian Bar Association, criminal justice section, via video conference.
Welcome. You each have five minutes, beginning with Mr. DelBigio for five minutes.