Good afternoon, everyone.
This is our second panel of witnesses for this meeting of the Standing Committee on Justice.
I will dispense with my sometimes lengthy introduction, where I list all the instructions. Those using Zoom to participate in the meeting surely must know how to access the interpretation service.
I ask everyone, especially those here in the room, but also those participating by video conference, to avoid shouting into the microphones and keep a distance equivalent to the length of one hand between the microphone and their mouth when speaking, to try to spare these faithful interpreters who enable us to hear testimony in both official languages.
With us today, we have, from the Association for Reformed Political Action Canada, John Sikkema.
He's the director of law and policy.
We have with us by video conference, from the Barreau du Québec, Marcel‑Olivier Nadeau, president of the Barreau du Québec, lawyer Eva Sikora, as well as Nicholas St‑Jacques.
We have, from Canadian Hindus for Harmony, Vijaykumar Jain, director, who is here in person.
Welcome.
Finally, we have Noah Shack, CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs.
Welcome to all of you.
Each group will have up to five minutes to deliver opening remarks. We have four distinct groups, so that leaves us with no more than 20 minutes for opening remarks. Therefore, an effort must be made to keep things quite short. As needed, I will interrupt the witnesses.
I must inform Mr. Fortin and all the others that sound tests have indeed been conducted.
With no further ado, Mr. Sikkema now has the floor for five minutes.