I call the meeting to order. Welcome to meeting number 85 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the House on June 21, 2023, the committee is continuing its study of Bill C-40, an act to amend the Criminal Code, to make consequential amendments to other acts and to repeal a regulation on miscarriage of justice reviews.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the House order of June 23. Members are attending in person in the room and remotely using the Zoom application.
I note that the witnesses we have for the first hour are all attending by Zoom, so I will make a few comments. Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. Click on the microphone icon to activate your mic, and please mute yourself when you are not speaking. With regard to interpretation, for those on Zoom, you have the choice at the bottom of your screen of the 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.
I have these cue cards. I know it's difficult when somebody is on a roll and speaking, but I will raise the 30-seconds card when 30 seconds is left and the time-is-up card when the time has elapsed. If the speaker has a couple of seconds left, I will let them proceed; otherwise, I will need to interrupt them. Don't take it personally. Unfortunately, that's how things work around here.
I want to advise the committee members that all the witnesses who are with us this afternoon have successfully completed the necessary audio tests.
Thank you everyone.
Now, without further ado, I would like to welcome the witnesses participating in our study on Bill C‑40.
With us are Neil Wiberg, lawyer, who is joining us by video conference and appearing as an individual; Nyki Kish, associate executive director of the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies; and Tony Paisana, past chair of the Canadian Bar Association.
You have up to five minutes for opening remarks. After that, we will go to questions by members.
I will ask Mr. Wiberg to please commence.
The floor is yours.