Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Minister.
As you know, I've dealt with this particular issue for quite some time. I find it very interesting that during the election campaign the Liberals took a Conservative approach to this and after it was all over they took a typical Liberal approach, and I think you've already made that observation--being soft on crime.
The other thing I'd like to observe is the demand on the other side for evidence. I find that very interesting in light of the fact that they introduced a firearms registry with absolutely no evidence--and there still isn't--that it was working. Also, I would like to observe that when I listen to their speeches in the House on this particular issue they argue that this won't be effective, and by extension, they would be saying that penalties are not a deterrent. In other words, shut down the prisons and use conditional sentences and all that kind of thing. I find that whole approach absurd. Very often people don't make that observation.