The other comment--and maybe this is going to be a rhetorical question--is that so far every animal welfare group that has come before this committee is opposed to a bill that's supposed to be about dealing with animal welfare. I see that as ironic. The House of Commons is going to hold that we've done something about animal cruelty when every group that's involved with animal welfare says this isn't effective.
Comments were made last week by those who are supporting Bill S-203, who are involved with animal welfare.They said the real issue is penalties. To those who are on the other side, I'm wondering what your thoughts would be, whether or not the real issue is penalties. Perhaps I'll turn it over to Ms. MacDonald, Ms. Cartwright, and Mr. Mitton.