I'd like to call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 84 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security.
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.
I would like to make a few comments for the benefit of witnesses and members.
Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking.
Feedback events can occur. These can be extremely harmful to interpreters and cause serious injuries. The most common cause of sound feedback is an earpiece worn too close to a microphone. We therefore ask all participants to exercise a high degree of caution when handling the earpieces, especially when your microphone or your neighbour's microphone is turned on.
I will remind you that all comments should be addressed through the chair.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Monday, October 23, 2023, the committee is commencing its study of the rights of victims and the reclassification and transfer of federal offenders.
I would now like to welcome our witnesses today. We have, from the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers, Jeff Wilkins, national president; and from the Union of Safety and Justice Employees, Patrick Ménard, regional vice-president, Québec, and Jeff Sandelli, regional vice-president, CSC Community, PBC West. All are appearing by video conference.
Welcome to all of you.
Up to five minutes will be given for opening remarks, after which we will proceed with rounds of questions.
I now invite Mr. Wilkins to make an opening statement.