Justice committee  It depends on the circumstances. For example, before the arrival of mandatory minimums.... For example, take the production of marijuana with a mandatory minimum of six months. Oftentimes, new immigrants or people who come to the country without many resources will take the first housing opportunity they can get.

Justice committee  Yes. I certainly believe so. I believe judges often do take into consideration the full background of an offender. The alleviation of mandatory minimums opens up the door for judges to take every circumstance into consideration about the offender, their background, rehabilitation prospects and family or other individuals they care for as well.

Justice committee  Thank you. Good afternoon, everybody. Thank you to the standing committee for the invitation to present today. I'm a member of the advocacy and policy committee of the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers and I'm also a criminal defence lawyer. Largely speaking, FACL is supportive of Bill C-5 and the removal of mandatory minimum sentences.