We need to know, when offences are committed with firearms, and the situation corresponds to what a judge can do under section 515 or subsection 506(10), if judges release people on bail or not.
Mr. Chair, this is the matter that we are being asked to vote on. We are being asked to add to the list of offences where the burden of proof lies with the accused by adding those committed with firearms.
All the other statistics are much less relevant. Before I can vote, I need to know if judges are or are not releasing people who commit offences with firearms, as is suggested on pages 1 and 2, and who are eligible for bail. Let us be clear on that. If we do not have those statistics, we will not be able to vote with due consideration. Regrettably, I must tell my ministerial colleagues that we cannot act out of pure ideology. I am not saying that a crime committed with a firearm is not a significant factor in our society, but I am surprised that we are unable to substantiate it. It is important.