I understand and appreciate Ms. Sims's encouragement. It's too bad; it sounds like she doesn't trust me all that much. In fact, the legislation and the practical approach that is taken with respect to...once an individual has....
I should add, before I say anything more, Chair, that we are going to make some amendments on the issue of detention. I would like to indicate that there has been a lot of listening, as all of us on the government side have indicated that, where possible and where necessary, we would certainly make amendments to the legislation that would improve the bill.
On the issue of detention, we are going to deal with that when it comes up sometime today. Again, if the bill's intent allows for the release of a designated foreign national for prescribed reasons, the problem with that, and why we won't be supporting the amendment, is it would result in the minister’s not being able to detain those who are designated for detention for other reasonable grounds, i.e., criminality. While the amendment from the NDP's perspective purports to do one thing, it actually does more than that. It is our concern that there are times when, based on an individual's background, they need to be detained.
We can't put ourselves in a position where our legislation doesn't allow for that detention. Therefore, we won't be supporting the amendment.