I call this meeting to order.
Welcome, everyone, to the 11th meeting of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.
Pursuant to the order of reference on October 1, the committee is meeting to continue its study of Bill C-9, an act to amend the Criminal Code (hate propaganda, hate crime and access to religious or cultural places).
I will skip over most of the introductory instructions.
Everyone knows to take it easy on the interpreters, especially when you're speaking. Don't speak too close to the mic. Make sure, while you do speak clearly, that you don't hurt their ears. There are plenty of ways to sensitize yourself to what should and shouldn't be done. Everyone's experienced here.
Burton, you're here, you know exactly what's going on. You're subbing in. Philip is as well.
I will not go through the regular stuff that I usually go through.
All the witnesses for the first part of the meeting are participating by video conference. I remind them that they can choose the English channel, the French channel or the floor channel by clicking on the appropriate button in the Zoom application.
Since all committee members are here in person, I don't need to ask them to use the “raise hand” function. If you have any issues, just raise your hand, and if it's appropriate, I will recognize you.
Today, we have with us, from the Edmonton Police Service, Nicole Chapdelaine, deputy chief.
From the Christian Legal Fellowship, we have Derek Ross, executive director.
From the International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group, we have Timothy McSorley, national coordinator.
Welcome to you all.
We do have one witness who had a last-minute challenge and couldn't make it. Fortunately or unfortunately, then, we have three witnesses for this first panel. We'll be able to ask them questions, and we'll probably get to the third round, if we have time, given that we are splitting this into two and a half hours.
I remind the witnesses that they have five minutes for their opening statements, followed by questions from members of the committee.
I'll start with the Edmonton police force.
Nicole, welcome. You have five minutes. If that goes over, then I will remind you. I'll afford you a few seconds to conclude, if you do go over. Please do try to keep it to five minutes.
Thank you.
The floor is yours.