Thank you for that.
I think this bill is dealing with the most exceptional situations. Bill C-2, with respect to dangerous offenders, is dealing with what could be termed the worst of the worst offenders in Canada. There was some reference made to someone who may have had what's termed “less serious” crimes. That's not what this bill is going to target.
I think we're all aware, at the end of the day, that there is still a tremendous threshold and there are tremendous safeguards, including our Constitution, that will protect all Canadians from this being too broad in scope. But at the end of the day, we have a situation where there are individuals who have shown, unfortunately, no desire whatsoever, and no ability, to be rehabilitated even though they've had maybe dozens of contacts with the justice system. These are people who commit very serious offences like the ones set out in this bill—the primary designated offences, for example, which are perhaps the worst imaginable offences. What we've said is that we have to act to protect Canadians from those who have shown no desire to be rehabilitated and are committing the worst offences.
To the Association of Chiefs of Police, in a way these are rare individuals, fortunately, and the dangerous offender provisions would apply to the very worst offenders. From your experience or through your representation, I'm wondering if you could tell me what are some of the challenges in dealing with the most high-risk offenders, the most dangerous offenders in Canada, as opposed to those who, although they have committed serious crimes, don't fit into this category. I'm speaking specifically of the recidivist nature.