As you mentioned, it can be difficult to share the experiences that some of our witnesses may be sharing with us today. We have a two-hour meeting today, and we have the time for it. We generally have one-hour panels, therefore we have five minutes for each witness. In this case.... Let's just put it this way: I will be flexible and understanding of the need, if you're sharing with us something that is a very personal experience, for a little extra time. I don't think you're going to find me to be very strict in that regard today. I think that's probably a good guide for us in this committee during this study, particularly since we have a two-hour session.
Thank you for raising that, Ms. Blaney.
Yes, I will be quite lenient with our witnesses, but probably slightly less so with you as committee members. However, I also want to let the witnesses know that if a committee member has asked you a question, I'm going to do my best to try to give you the time you need to answer it, understanding that we have to respect that every party needs to have an equal opportunity to share. If I signal that it is near the end of time, I just ask that you try to wrap it up as quickly as you can.
Thank you. Let me now introduce our witnesses today.
We have with us, as individuals, Donna Riguidel, Major (Retired) and Christine Wood, who is a veterans advocate.
With the LGBT Purge Fund, we have Michelle Douglas, executive director.
We also have with us the founder of Servicewomen’s Salute Canada, Rosemary Park, Lieutenant-Commander (Retired).
We will go nearly in that order. I'm going to allow Ms. Wood the opportunity to wrap up.
We'll start with you, Ms. Riguidel, and you have five minutes or so to give us your opening remarks.