I might ask Mr. Hoover to talk about this, but trying to predict these things, indeed predicting human behaviour, is always a challenge. One of the significant changes that have taken place in this area is the Supreme Court of Canada decision in R. v. Johnson. As I indicated in my opening remarks, this has presented its own set of challenges to crown attorneys. We are facing the situation where we have different interpretations of that particular decision.
I think this will clarify that. It will standardize the tests that are being used. In my opinion, it will facilitate those individuals getting the designation who should get the designation.
Again, it's not something I look forward to or hope there will be lots of. Nobody wants to see this kind of behaviour. It's the last resort. Let's face it, that's why there haven't been thousands of these applications. They're long, difficult, expensive, challenging, and they stretch resources of the crown attorney's office.
So it is the last resort to try to bring some measure of control to individuals who have demonstrated that they have to be incarcerated. Again, it's the last resort. We think this particular piece of legislation can play a part of that role, and a reasonable one, in protecting the public.
With respect to the numbers, I'll ask Mr. Hoover if he has any comments.