Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Welcome to our committee, Mr. MacKenzie. I would like to thank you for bringing this bill before us. I think it is important legislation, and I think it speaks to your background as well to bring something like this before our committee today. I really commend you for having it come this far. I know how difficult it is to get a private member's bill to committee.
I listened to your opening remarks. We understand the basis behind this and how the Parole Board works with regard to these offenders, but I'm just wondering if you could speak a bit about why you actually decided to take on this bill. What was it that prompted you to want to change the system to ensure that those who commit some of the most serious crimes—first- and second-degree murder—are actually having their cases heard by the Parole Board as opposed to having them simply turned over to the institution's warden?