Thank you.
Our association is opposed and has taken a position in opposition to mandatory minimum sentences consistently. With respect to our submission on the other aspects of the bill that set out mandatory minimum sentences for more serious offences—for instance, cocaine offences—our argument is that judges take into account the nature of the substance, the seriousness of the offence itself, and are already, in the exercise of their judicial discretion, imposing stiff and harsh penalties where appropriate.