We've had a lot of discussion about the question of the police being on the advisory committees and we've seen a lot of witnesses. The examples of LEAF and REAL Women were raised, those being what some would categorize as special interest groups. We, certainly, and I think most people, would see the police as different from that, and not necessarily a special interest group, but as was mentioned, the police are capable of rising above special interest. Even as recently as today, we have examples of the police agreeing or disagreeing with any number of government policies, just as any other citizen can.
On the issue of the police being on the advisory committee, Professor Ziegel, as you know, the advisory committees were introduced to assist the ministers in their constitutional requirements when it comes to appointments, and the advisory committees have been changed in the past. There are those who want to make it sound as though this is some earth-shattering change, when in reality we know that the police can rise above that and that most of the work of the advisory committee is done on the basis of consensus. The minister has said that this will increase his ability to get a broader spectrum of input and advice.
Can you comment a bit on some of the other changes that have been made in the past when it comes to judicial advisory committees, and the relative significance of any changes we're making now?