I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 33 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. Pursuant to the order of reference of March 24, 2026, the committee will continue its study of Bill C-235, an act to amend the Criminal Code with regard to increasing parole ineligibility. We will proceed to clause-by-clause study in the last hour.
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 the Zoom application. Sound tests were done successfully.
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.
For those participating by video conference, click on the microphone icon to activate your microphone. Please mute yourself when you are not speaking. For those on Zoom, at the bottom of your screen you can select the appropriate channel for interpretation: floor audio, French or English. For those in the room, you can use the earpiece and selected the desired channel.
As a reminder, all comments should be addressed through the chair.
For members in the room, if you wish to speak, raise your hand. For members on Zoom, use the “raise hand” function. The clerk and I will manage the speaking order as best we can. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
Appearing in the first hour, we have, as an individual, Jo-Anne Landolt; from the Office of the Federal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime, Dr. Benjamin Roebuck, federal ombudsperson for victims of crime; and from the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, Dale Weidman, superintendent, and Simon Authier, legal counsel.
The floor is open for opening statements for up to five minutes.
Before we get going, Ms. Lattanzio has something that she would like to address.