Welcome to meeting four of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted on September 23, 2025, the committee is meeting to begin its study on bail, sentencing and the handling of repeat violent offenders.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format pursuant to the Standing Orders. One member is attending virtually—welcome, MP Housefather.
All in-person participants, please consult the guidelines written on the cards on the table. These are measures in place to help prevent audio and feedback incidents, which occur from time to time, and to protect the health and safety of all participants, including the interpreters. You will also notice a QR code on the card for a short awareness video, which you should have already watched.
I want to make a few additional comments for the benefit of witnesses and members here today.
Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. I sometimes do so informally, but you should get a sense of where I'm looking.
For those participating by video conference, click on the microphone to activate the mike, and 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, either floor audio, English or French, depending on your preferences. Those in the room can use the earpiece and select the desired channel. All comments should be addressed through me, the chair.
For members in the room, please raise your hand if you wish to speak. For members on Zoom, please use the “raise hand” function. The clerk and I will manage the speaking order as best we can. We thank members for their patience and understanding in this regard.
I want to welcome our three witnesses for today's meeting. They appeared on short notice.
Is there an issue with interpretation, Mr. Fortin?