Thank you, Chair, and a sincere thank you to both witnesses for being here today. It's an honour and a pleasure to have you both here. I always believe that in any situation, everybody has the right to come and defend themselves and speak the truth, so thank you both.
I'm going to speak a bit before I get into a few questions. You brought up some very good points. I have been an MP for five years now, and I have sat on a few committees. Mainly I've been on public safety, but I've also sat on other ones. Witnesses come in to our meetings all the time, and they give us their sides of the stories, or the information they believe in.
This has put us in quite an interesting position, and it is always going to make me think, going forward, what's real and what's not real. It's very interesting—and please don't take this glibly—in a study about disinformation that this has taken place. I have obviously spent some time reflecting on that. I find that a little ironic.
Mr. Pugliese, before we get into some questions, if there's any good that can come from this—obviously, you've been through a tough time—it is that maybe our eyes will be a bit more open to disinformation, and that will be part of our study and our remarks going forward.
I do have some questions, though, and I'll start with Mr. Pugliese.
Obviously, this has been a very tough time for you. I listened to your words very intently. You did mention that this has had some effect on you and your family, and I want to say that my feelings go out to you and your family.
How have these allegations affected you and your family?