Good afternoon, everyone.
I'd like to welcome you to meeting number 58 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format pursuant to the House order on June 23, 2022. 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 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 mike and please mute yourself when you are not speaking.
Regarding interpretation for those on Zoom, you have the choice at the bottom of your screen of floor, English or French. For those in the room, you can use the earpiece and desired channel.
I'd like to remind you that all comments should be addressed through the chair.
For members in the room, if you wish to speak, please raise your hand, and for members on Zoom, please use the “raise hand” function. The clerk and I will manage the speaking order.
In accordance with the committee's routine motion concerning connection tests, I'm informing the committee that all witnesses appearing virtually have completed the required connection test.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, the committee will resume its study on human trafficking of women and girls and gender-diverse people.
Before we welcome our witnesses, I would like to provide this trigger warning. This will be a difficult study and we will be discussing experiences related to abuse. This may be triggering to viewers, members or staff with similar experiences. If you're feeling distress, please advise the clerk or signal us.
I would now like to welcome our guests.
From the Association of New Canadians, online we have Monica Abdelkader, director of resettlement and settlement services. From the FCJ Refugee Centre, we have Chiara Rossi, coordinator of anti-human trafficking — women; and Jovana Blagovcanin, who is manager of anti-human trafficking. From Indus Community Services, we have Raman Hansra, who is the project manager for family services; and Jakki Buckeridge, who is the manager for family services. And here in the room, from Ka Ni Kanichihk, we have Ieesha Sankar, who is the director of program and services.
As you can see, today we have four organizations. We will be listening to our panels for one hour and 15 minutes and we will be doing committee business for the last 45 minutes.
I'm going to turn the floor over to Monica to begin.
Monica, you have the floor for five minutes.