I call the meeting to order.
This is meeting number four of the House of Commons Standing Committee on National Defence. Pursuant to the motion adopted on September 16, the committee is meeting to receive briefings by the National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces Ombudsman and the sexual misconduct support and resource centre.
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.
Before we continue, I would ask all in-person participants to consult the guidelines written on the cards on the table. These measures are in place to help prevent audio and feedback incidents and to protect the health and safety of all participants, including the interpreters. You will notice a QR code in front of you, which links to an awareness video for you to be apprised and aware of the issues.
I'd like to make a few comments before the briefings 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 mic. Please mute yourself when you're not speaking. For those on Zoom, at the bottom of your screen, you can select the appropriate channel for interpretation—floor, English or French. For those in the room, you can use the earpiece and select the desired channel.
Just as a reminder, all comments should be addressed through the chair. For members in the room, if you wish to speak, please raise your hand. For members on Zoom, please use the “raise hand” function. The clerk and I will manage the speaking order as best we can. We appreciate your patience and understanding in this regard.
The agenda today will be a public briefing from the National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces Ombudsman. We will go in camera for the next panel, which will be with the sexual misconduct support and resource centre. Then, if I may, I'd like to save an additional 10 minutes for other business in camera to manage a few issues that are before us. I recognize that some issues have developed.
Mr. James Bezan, go ahead.