Mr. Ménard, on behalf of the CCCDL, as you know, we have representatives across the country and in the north. It's early to measure the impact of new legislation demanding mandatory minimums. We've decided that we will try to gather information to see what the impact will be and to see whether or not the negative aspects outweigh the positive aspects. We are unable to measure it yet because it's early.
I think it however goes without saying that we select judges with great fanfare. We select judges who are experienced. We applaud their appointments. We then restrict their ability to do the job. That's wrong. The evidence in this country that judges are not taking offences seriously is anecdotal.
I think the mandatory minimums may be a political statement. Are they going to change behaviour? Are they going to do anything other than warehouse people? Are they going to make the criminal justice system run more smoothly? They absolutely will not. Do they frustrate judges? Of course, they do. It's actually not fair, with great respect.