Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Not to answer Mr. Fortin's question, but discussion on these two provisions, clause 46 and then, by extension, clause 39.... We had a very abbreviated opportunity to study this bill, of course, but it has been in the Senate, so I looked at some interesting Senate testimony.
We did have the benefit of hearing from the Quebec bar this morning. For some of this, there was a long-standing need pre-COVID. Some of what we see in Bill S-4 is certainly a reflection of being in a pandemic time when there were major limitations on in-person meetings and a desire to be able to do things differently in every aspect of our lives, including the judicial.
I looked at the amendments being put forward by Mr. Fortin and at the CPC amendments. I know there's probably some conflict between the two. However, I look at that as maybe reflective of the fact that we are past the COVID pandemic lockdowns right now, and while there are many aspects that are very important in Bill S-4, there are aspects—certain presumptions that are included—that I think we may want to put the brakes on a little bit.
Today I have the unique opportunity, just because of an Air Canada flight cancelled for no apparent reason, to participate in this meeting virtually. Normally I'm there in person, so I can tell you that there are major limitations on the ability to understand what's happening in the room and get a perspective on how people are receiving what is or isn't being said, and all the non-verbal cues one might get.
That's lacking in any kind of virtual meeting. The most important proceeding, at the highest level, is going to be a judicial proceeding in which someone's life, and possibly his or her future, hangs in the balance, or one in which victims are being asked to participate in a system that all too often revictimizes them.
Without belabouring the point, I think there are some reasons that I'm very receptive to the comments made by the Barreau du Québec as well as the amendments that have been put forward, and I think I'm inclined to support them, for sure.