Good afternoon, everyone. This is meeting number 35 of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security on Monday, October 25, 2010.
I would remind everyone that today we are being televised, so please take your cellphone or BlackBerry and put it on mute mode or at least silence the ring tone so that it doesn't disrupt the meeting.
Today we're commencing a study on the issues surrounding security at the G-8 and G-20 summits. In our first hour we welcome the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety.
Thank you, Mr. Minister, for taking the time out of your busy schedule to appear on this issue.
We also have as witnesses, from the Privy Council Office, Mr. Ward Elcock, the special advisor, and Marie-Lucie Morin, the national security advisor to the Prime Minister and associate secretary to the cabinet.
From the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, we have Chief Superintendent Alphonse MacNeil, division operation commander to the 2010 G-8 and G-20 integrated security unit.
I understand, Mr. Minister, you have an opening statement that you will share. You have appeared before the committee on many occasions. We thank you for that. You know the process as far as the questions go. We welcome your comments.