Thank you.
Minister, thank you for your overview of this bill.
Curiously, we had witnesses before we had you, and one of the witnesses, Mr. Rushfeldt, was very interesting in terms of his submission. I've spoken to Nathan Cooper as well, from that group, about the definition used in section 163.1 as it relates to child pornography. I'll turn your attention to that.
Although applauding the bill in general, he suggests that the definition should more accurately reflect what is depicted in what is being trafficked or used; that is, to use their words, “child sex abuse materials”. The images depicted are abuse. They are rapes; they are attacks. They are the most heinous of crimes, which leads me to this question.
Your spokesperson.... I don't know whether she's a lawyer. I don't know whether she's schooled in these sections of the code. But your spokesperson said that the definition of child pornography found in section 163.1 is among the most comprehensive in the world and leaves no doubt that heinous crimes are illegal.
I'm struck by the evidence of the people who work in this field. I think you have some empathy for them as well. My point is that the images actually are child sex abuse materials, which is a stronger definition than what is defined under section 163.1, child pornography. If the crimes you're seeking to accelerate or increase the penalties upon are very serious crimes, they ought to be accurately reflected.
This is my first question. I wonder, therefore, if you would be open to the idea—maybe not in this bill, maybe it's outside the scope—of amending the definition, or whether you stand by your spokesperson's words in this regard.
As these things tend to go long on answers, Minister, because you're so eloquent in your responses, I'm going to load you with another question.
Why didn't you bring this bill sooner? This isn't the usual case where this is a regurgitation of another bill. I wonder why it took so long. You've made much, frankly, of saying that everybody blocked you all the way, and that Liberals are new to this crime deal, and all that sort of garbage that you say in the other place. But I've been here five years and I don't remember this bill. I really would have liked to have seen this bill.
I've been talking to Nathan Cooper for three or four years, and I speak for myself here, but I haven't blocked you every step of the way. I haven't, minister. So why not sooner? And would you be open to this...? I'm interested in your comments on the definition of child pornography versus child sexual abuse materials.