Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to all the witnesses, both here and appearing by video conference.
My questions are for Chief White. First of all, thank you very much for your support for this bill and also for Bill C-25, the ending of the two-for-one credit for remand. I first became aware of that issue when I read on the front page of the Ottawa Citizen some comments you made about four or five or six months ago. So thank you.
This committee travelled to Vancouver the week before last, and there and here last Monday, when we were having hearings on Bill C-15, we heard some individuals who were advocating for an end to prohibition not only of cannabis but also of stronger chemical substances. The law enforcement individuals we heard from are universally opposed to this. However, there are some advocates—libertarians and I suppose even criminologists—who believe prohibition has been a failed policy.
From your experience as the head of the Ottawa police force, I was wondering if you could comment. Specifically, the one argument that was put forward was that the end of prohibition would somehow reduce organized crime's ability to profit from the drug trade. When I read through your activity report, I see criminal enterprise and organized crime is a very diversified business, with identity theft, auto theft, cigarette smuggling, and the list goes on and on. As a former front-line officer and now as the chief of police, could you provide me with your comments on the issue of legalization?