I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 12 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. Pursuant to the order of reference of October 1, 2025, we are meeting to continue our study of Bill C-9, an act to amend the Criminal Code (hate propaganda, hate crime and access to religious or cultural places).
As with prior meetings, we're presenting now in a hybrid format, pursuant to the Standing Orders. Members are attending in person in the room and remotely using the Zoom application.
I will warn members and witnesses that there is a slight delay in the translation. If you notice it—particularly members—please raise your hand if there is a problem. We believe it is barely noticeable. It's just that the technicians have noted that there is a delay between the French and English and the English and French. It's not the translators themselves. It just seems to be something going over the system right now. If you are asking a question in English and getting an answer in French or vice versa, I will permit a delay that will go over and above the time, just simply so that people can have the benefit of having their question fully understood and the answer fully understood.
Sound tests have obviously been done. I ask those participating in the meeting in person or online not to place the microphone too close to their mouth and not to speak too loudly. This helps protect the health and safety of interpreters and prevent acoustic incidents. We certainly do not want to cause any problems for the team that has to interpret in both official languages.
People on Zoom in particular, everyone here is familiar with the format. I will allow direct questioning of witnesses. You do not necessarily need to go through me, although if there are some problems, I will ask that people do go through me.
People on Zoom, use the “raise hand” function that you are very familiar with by now. Obviously, there's also a function for your language of preference: English, French or the floor.
Just for the benefit of housekeeping and the vote that's going to occur at 5:15 p.m., I did have a brief discussion with the vice-chair and the Conservatives. There is a preference for people to be in their seats. Normally we could vote online and save time, but obviously because of the importance of this vote, I think members prefer to be in their seats. That will impact the questioning of the second group of witnesses, which means that if we do things right and if we go over the bells—with unanimous consent—for about 10 or 12 minutes, we can get a full round of questioning in on the second panel of witnesses. Then again, I need unanimous consent to go over past 6:30 p.m., but if we all resume here rather promptly once we have voted, I can accord time just to finish off perhaps even a second round of questioning, if that works. However, I need unanimous consent of the group to do that.