I'll say again, I believe that Parliament ought to denounce these offences, which doesn't speak to deterrence. I believe that incapacitating somebody who engages in a gun crime is necessary and important and in the public interest. I think, with respect, common sense dictates that spending time in jail is a deterrent, although, as the chief said, it doesn't apply to everybody.
I'm here to say, on behalf of 900 prosecutors, that there are instances in which the prosecutor is before the court seeking a higher custodial sentence than is currently under the Criminal Code. There are instances where in fact that is not the appropriate custodial sentence, in the independent discretion of that crown attorney. That's not a political judgment; that's his or her expertise, that the sentence ought to be higher.
The courts will interpret the law as they see it, and it doesn't lie in the mouth, I think, of parliamentarians to criticize judges, but rather to make amendments to the laws so that the judges then interpret them. It's from that perspective that crown attorneys have shared with me, in cases such as one that I provided you, that we need an increase in some of these sentences. That's their experience. I think you heard the experience of the chief of police as well.