Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
The real issue I have with this bill is that it creates a single category of offenders, of criminals. Offenders serving a sentence of less than five years could end up with only one opportunity for a parole hearing, under the bill. Consequently, if their first application was rejected, it would be fairly likely that they would serve their whole sentence and be released unconditionally. I think that would constitute a risk for public safety. For instance, a reckless driver who was arrested for driving while impaired by alcohol and found not criminally responsible for a death would serve three or four years of their sentence even if they are a repeat offender. In cases of domestic violence, some men who are repeat offenders may serve a sentence and be released without having a hearing or being subjected to a rehabilitation follow-up.
With Bill C-479, how can the system rehabilitate those who are serving a sentence of less than five years and help victims find closure? In my opinion, those offenders will always be a risk to public safety.
What do you think about that?