Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to all the witnesses who have appeared.
Ms. Brett, thank you for your personal testimony here today and for sharing the story of your son Jordan. I'm very happy to hear about his one year of sobriety. You certainly have added value to the meeting we're having here today.
Unfortunately, we now have data from a number of years to go back on. We see that the current approach is simply a proven failure. It's not working. In 2016 Canada had about seven overdose deaths per day. That is a terrible stat, except when you compare it with the stat now. We're exceeding 21 per day, more than a tripling of the number of deaths.
When we look at what actions have taken place, one action that this government brought in was Bill C-5. It eliminated mandatory jail time for serious criminals who were producing and importing drugs like fentanyl, meth, cocaine and so on, the most serious drugs—schedule I drugs—in Canada. It allows these individuals to import those drugs, export those drugs, or produce those drugs, such as running a meth lab out of their own home, but then, if they are caught by the police, charged and sentenced, to serve their sentence from the comfort of their own home. I think that sends a terrible message to Canadians, because it allows for the revictimization of the most vulnerable.
I want to get your thoughts on that. In your opinion, should those who are bringing deadly drugs like fentanyl and meth into Canadian communities face more serious consequences?