Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Minister, thank you for being here.
I'm relatively new in the legislative history of things, so I wasn't here when Bill C-2 was passed. I wasn't here when through various incarnations the then opposition asked for this type of legislation.
I refer you to the opening salvos of the former Minister of Justice, your predecessor, who in October of last year suggested that Conservatives have been asking for this kind of change in the law for years. For years, the former government—I guess that would be the Liberals—refused, basically stating that existing law was adequate to protect children.
Since that time, and correct me if I'm wrong, I think this bill has changed the Conservative philosophy that a close-in-age exemption was important. Again, correct me if I'm wrong, because you were part of that caucus and that criticism, but until the tabling of this bill there was no talk from any of the Conservatives about a five-year close-in-age exemption. I think you would admit that in the spirit of compromise and evolution—to use one of your words right back at you—that makes this bill quite palatable to the Liberal side, and obviously to the other parties who are supporting it, because it's balanced, it's reasonable, and it's workable. Heretofore that was not the position of the Conservative Party. That's my first question.
The second question I don't think was adequately covered in your response to one of Mr. Comartin's usual incisive questions. That has to do with the unconstitutional aspect that groups like Egale have brought up with respect to anal intercourse and the age of protection, if you like, of 18 years.
Again, I would draw your attention to the summary in your bill, and actually the preamble, which by the Interpretation Act should apparently be taken into consideration. The summary does not specify that this bill is homing in on exactly what you think it's homing in on. It talks about sexual activity and age. While we welcome this bill, to keep the scope of the summary and the preamble, can you tell us whether you plan to fix what I would call the lacuna, the gap, with respect to anal intercourse?
Thank you, Mr. Minister.