Welcome, everyone.
I call this meeting to order.
This is meeting number 10 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.
This meeting, like the previous ones, is being held in a hybrid format. Ms. Khalid, among others, is joining us online.
I know that members are familiar with the instructions. For the benefit of the witnesses though, please maintain a finger distance from the microphone, just to protect the hearing of the interpreters, as we do simultaneous interpretation into English or French, depending on the language of your preference.
For those on Zoom, I will assume but repeat that you're familiar with the “raise hand” function. Members here who want to ask the witnesses questions, raise your hand, and I will recognize you.
I'm not asking that questions go formally through the chair again. For purposes of a more dynamic conversation, it's okay to talk to the witnesses. Just be respectful of the dynamic. If I have to rein it in, obviously I will.
I have a bit of housekeeping, because we started with a 10- to 15-minute delay. I don't know if members prefer to go over or whether we will cut it at 6:30. We do have three hours today. We have plenty of time for the witnesses today in this round and in the next round. We'll just adjust on the fly, and I'll let you guys know what the cut-off time is to allow changeover so we get a full set of questions in to the witnesses.
For our first panel, we have with us Mr. and Mrs. Best, Ronald and Meechelle. From the Brantford Police Association, we have Jeremy Morton, president, and from the London Abused Women's Centre, we have Jennifer Dunn, executive director, via video conference. From the Police Association of Ontario, we have Mark Baxter, president.
I would like to remind the witnesses that they have five minutes to make their presentation.
Mr. and Mrs. Best, you have five minutes together.
Mr. Morton, Ms. Dunn and Mr. Baxter, you have five minutes each.
Afterwards, there will be a round of questions from committee members.
Mr. and Mrs. Best, I will let you start, and then I'll proceed with Mr. Morton, Ms. Dunn, and Mr. Baxter for five minutes each.
Thank you, and welcome.