SECU Committee Meeting

     I call this meeting to order.

    Welcome to meeting number 82 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 by using the Zoom application.

    I would like to make a few comments for the benefit of the officials and members.

    Although this room is equipped with a powerful audio system, 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. In order to prevent incidents and safeguard the hearing health of the interpreters, I invite participants to ensure that they speak into the microphone into which their headset is plugged and to avoid manipulating the earbuds by placing them on the table, away from the microphone, when they are not in use.

    Finally, I remind you that all comments should be addressed through the chair.

    I wanted to start this meeting in public because I'm going to make a statement.

    As many of you know, I am going for knee replacement surgery the week after next. For an unknown number of weeks thereafter, I will not be able to travel back to Ottawa. As you know, the Standing Orders require that presiding over committee meetings be done in person.

    There are a number of options, but upon reflection I believe it will be better for the committee that I step down as chair, at least in the interim. I remain a member of the committee, but I hereby give notice of my resignation as chair, effective at the adjournment of the House tomorrow, Thursday, November 9.

    Go ahead, Mr. Julian.

    I am so sorry to hear that, Mr. Chair, because you've done stellar work as our chair. Even though we often don't agree among ourselves, yours has been a steady hand on the tiller.

    We certainly hope you recover fully and completely and as rapidly as possible from this important operation. We wish you all the best.

    Thank you.

    There's certainly no requirement for us to all agree. As long as we can disagree politely, it's the best thing.

    In the spring, or whenever I'm back, I'll be doing marathons, I'm sure.

    Mr. Shipley, go ahead.

    You and I spoke about this previously, Mr. Chair. Obviously, our side wishes you the best in that speedy recovery, and we look forward to seeing you when you're back.

    Thank you.

    I will be on the committee virtually once I wake up, I think.

    Anyway, thank you all.

    At this point, we will suspend and go into an in camera session as we await our witness. We can start with some committee business we have to undertake first.

    We will suspend for probably five minutes.

    [Proceedings continue in camera]