Of course.
Having you testify before this committee is so interesting, you should come more often.
Minister, the distinction made between violent and non-violent crimes is significant. In 1996, when conditional sentences were established, a federal-provincial-territorial report was submitted to Minister Rock. Two concerns were expressed. First, some believed that the prison population was going to grow by 50 per cent. Moreover, there was a desire to make sure on the one hand that incarcerated individuals were those who had committed the most violent crimes, and, on the other hand, that those who remained in the community would be able to be rehabilitated. Regardless of what Mr. Petit may say, given his usual lack of rigour, the Bloc Québécois considers that the distinction made between these two types of crime should be front and centre in the public debate. I am certain all citizens would agree with this distinction.
Would you acknowledge that in 1996, when Bill C-41 was passed, the motivation behind it was far more rational than what you have described to the committee this afternoon?