Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Minister. I first want to compliment you and the Department of Justice on this legislation.
With the compliment comes a comment, of course. I've been here almost four years, and I can say that this is new legislation. It's not just tacking on a mandatory minimum to an existing law as a band-aid to make it seem as if society is safer. This is real, important work, as you know. Bill C-27 was almost up the ladder when the plug was pulled on Parliament.
So we've been through this before, and what I think is quite interesting and gratifying is to see that you've given praise to the Senate work. I hope it's not just because the Conservatives are close to getting a majority in the Senate that you have a new thought on the good work of the Senate, but--