Good afternoon, everybody.
I'd like to call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 15 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.
Pursuant to the order of reference of November 18, 2025, the committee is meeting to begin the study of Bill C-14, an act to amend the Criminal Code, the Youth Criminal Justice Act and the National Defence Act regarding bail and sentencing.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the Standing Orders. Members are attending in person in the room and remotely using Zoom, although there is no one on Zoom today.
Before we start, I would like to make a few comments for the benefit of the witnesses and members. Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. The comments about Zoom don't apply, so I'll skip that. This is quite easy today.
I want to thank our witnesses for appearing today.
In the first hour, we have the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. Thank you for attending, Minister.
Along with the minister, I would like to welcome our witnesses for today's first hour from the Department of Justice. They are Owen Ripley, senior assistant deputy minister, policy sector; Matthew Taylor, senior general counsel and director general, criminal law policy section; and Chelsea Moore, team lead and senior counsel, criminal law policy section.
Minister, again, welcome. I will turn the floor over to you, sir, for your opening remarks.