I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 60 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 of 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.... I'm looking to see what faces I see here. It looks like we have no amateurs.
Ms. Lam, we're going to make sure you know what's going on there. It's nice to see you online, Ms. Lam.
If you're in the room, make sure there's interpretation. You have your headpiece, so English, French and the floor are available. On Zoom, you have your choice of English, French or the floor for interpretation as well. If you wish to speak, please just raise your hand. On Zoom, please use the “raise hand” function. In accordance with the committee's routine motion concerning connection tests for witnesses, I am informing the committee that all witnesses appearing virtually have completed the required tests.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, the committee will resume its study of the human trafficking of women, girls and gender-diverse people.
Before we welcome our witnesses, I would like to provide this trigger warning. I know we have some different people in the room today, so you guys are really going to find out what we really do here. All the hard stuff is done here in this room. We will be discussing experiences related to abuse. This may be triggering to viewers, members or staff with similar experiences. If you feel distressed or if you need help, please advise the clerk or just alert us to what's going on.
Now I would like to welcome our panellists for today.
From Butterfly: Asian and Migrant Sex Workers Support Network, we have Elene Lam, who is online there. From the Sex Workers of Winnipeg Action Coalition, welcome to Kate Sinclaire. From Stella, l'amie de Maimie, we have Sandra Wesley, who is the executive director.
I would like to welcome you by giving you each five minutes to start. I will be passing the first five minutes over to Elene, online.
Elene, you have the floor for five minutes.