I understand that the purpose of your bill is to make sentences harsher because you are looking for some equivalency between time served and the sentence imposed. It is also intended to take into account the ambiguity that could result from this in victims' minds, that the person who has been convicted may be released. The Minister testified to that effect. But it seems to us that the requirements of the Criminal Code mean that at the time of sentencing, the judge provides all the information. We can't say that the public and the victims are deprived of information. They know the individual is being sentenced to imprisonment for life, and there are certain conditions that mean the individual will be entitled to make an application to a jury for permission to be granted early parole. That is what I am saying.
On November 16th, 2010. See this statement in context.