Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
I want to thank our witnesses today, those appearing by video conference and those appearing before us. This is a very important piece of legislation, as I'm sure you're all aware.
Mr. White, I'd like ask you a couple of questions that are specifically in regard to some of the things we've heard at committee today about how important the message is that you're sending to society. I think it's not just the criminals that you're targeting with this, but generally society as a whole, in regard to knowing that there are very real punishments, and not just maximums, which are far too seldom put in place, but also minimums that you'll be going to jail for.
There is doubt here today as to whether criminals get that message. At prior committee meetings, we've had testimony stating that the average drug dealer has about seven prior convictions in 13 years of criminal history. In your experience, is that similar to the City of Ottawa? Would you believe those numbers?