This is another interesting panel. I know that each of you comes from communities and constituencies that are fairly extensive, representing a fairly large catchment area, and the AFN is virtually national in spanning the country. We have the policy wonks fine-tuning the correction system and the sentencing regime, and we have the lawyers and the judicial system working with it. As it passes through Parliament, Mr. Thompson has articulated what he says is a sense among Canadians out there that we should be taking certain steps to “crack down on crime”.
I'm asking you a political question rather than a policy-wonk question. From the constituencies you come from—and I don't know where each of you is based—would you acknowledge that there is a demand from Canadians that we take a step like this? If you're hearing it, how the heck are we supposed to respond in Parliament? If Canadians want us to take steps, is this one of the right steps? Can we move back? Can we step sideways? Can we improve our footing? Maybe one person could answer from each group: the AFN, Toronto, and the Quebec group.