Public Safety committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Public Safety committee  I don't want to derail the proceedings. I do recall that one of the names that has been mentioned, to the best of my recollection, was convicted only under provincial securities legislation, but I can't swear to that. If there's someone in the room who has Internet access and

Public Safety committee  That's my understanding.

Public Safety committee  I have it by admission numbers and by what we call “snapshot”. I'm not sure which you're interested in.

Public Safety committee  The data I have show that 64% of women admitted to penitentiary custody are serving sentences of less than three years. If you look at any one given day--a snapshot as opposed to admissions--39% of women in penitentiary are serving sentences of less than three years.

Public Safety committee  Yes, for people serving three years, the time period for eligibility is identical. What would change under the bill would be the test, the criteria, that would be applied in considering day parole.

Public Safety committee  Of course, for any sentence longer than three years, there would be a difference in eligibility dates.

Public Safety committee  No. The regular parole regime remains in effect--eligibility dates and criteria.

Public Safety committee  I have numbers for women's sentence lengths, if you are interested.

Public Safety committee  No.

Public Safety committee  I have most of that information. It's part of my responsibility to consider costs in terms of developing legislation. Yes, I have most of that information or access to it. The issue is disclosure of it. As I said, government has indicated it's a cabinet confidence.

Public Safety committee  I said I have the information or access to it. I really can't talk about what I've provided the government in any detail because I think that is cabinet confidence of advice.

Public Safety committee  I think I'm able to answer almost all questions that I'm asked about legislative proposals.

Public Safety committee  I don't think I can speak for what the government would want to do or could do. I have a position as a public servant and I've given you the best possible answer I can.

Public Safety committee  I think the position of the government has been that costing is considered a cabinet confidence. Consequently, I don't think I'm able to answer that question.