Thank you, Mr. Petit. There are a number of aspects to your question.
You said that the threat of imprisonment is always there when a judge imposes a conditional sentence. To begin, you have to acknowledge that it is indeed a sentence of imprisonment that is imposed. The only difference is where the sentence is served.
When there is a breach, the legislator at the time provided that incarceration would not be automatic. The judge can do nothing, adjust or order imprisonment. There's a range of options. In this respect the current legislation affords some leeway to rectify a given situation, if needed.
A member asked a question about the distinction to be made between a street pusher who is addicted to hard drugs and those who are involved at the higher, more organized level. I think that is what you are alluding to.
On the facts, I don't think many conditional sentences are imposed. People involved in structured criminal organizations, who have a criminal past and represent a danger to society, are not entitled to a conditional sentence. If a judge feels that an individual is involved in organized crime and will continue, once released, to act as a member of an organized and structured gang, that provides sufficient ground for the judge to deny bail. That individual, although presumed innocent, may not be released from captivity.
In serious cases, if a judge feels that a conditional sentence is warranted, it's because the individual meets all of the criteria and because the best way of ensuring that the individual does not go back into that environment is to order a conditional sentence. But I think that the cases you are describing are rare, exceptional cases. When it comes to dealers, the image that comes to mind is the one your colleague referred to, that of Al Pacino. It's an image, but there are many steps to take before you reach that level. There are some individuals who find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. They grow up in a neighbourhood and have certain associations. These realities have to be taken into account.
You are talking about a serious problem. But you have to adapt the punishment to the individual who is brought before the courts.