Okay.
Then, Mr. Chair, I'd like to say that for three reasons I'm not supporting the amendment.
The first reason is that, as Mr. Giokas pointed out, the bill requires the judges to consider these additional parole ineligibility periods when they're dealing with a remorseless serial killer or a contract killer. Those are the most serious kinds of crimes that are committed in our country. We're seeking to amend public policy and to amend the legislation to reflect that these are the most abhorrent kinds of crimes a person can commit against an individual or victims in our country.
We want to make a case that each life taken is equal, and we feel that the need for public confidence in the criminal justice system requires us to allow the judges to make multiple parole ineligibility periods in cases of remorseless serial killers such as Clifford Olson, Robert Pickton, Russell Williams, and, unfortunately, a few others. These situations aren't going to arise very often, but when they do, the public requires us to deal with these people harshly and to give the judges the ability to impose those kinds of sentences.
As a member of Parliament, I have surveyed my constituents many times on this issue. My constituents tell me consistently that these kinds of sentences are required in those kinds of serious, heinous murders. For that reason, I think it would be irresponsible for us to agree to this amendment.
Third, we've said from the very beginning that our focus here is to address the concerns of victims and their families. We heard from victims. We heard from two of the families of Clifford Olson's victims. This question was put to them, and they said very clearly that they did not agree with that kind of amendment. We asked the same question of the victims' ombudsman, Sue O'Sullivan, who represents all victims in Canada and has canvassed many victims for their views on this proposed legislation. She's a career police officer, and she said she also did not support such an amendment.
For those reasons, I would encourage the members of this committee to vote against this amendment.
Thank you.