Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'd like to thank each of the panellists for being here this afternoon.
Reverend Tiangson, it's good to see you again. I have some familiarity with the centre you operate in Mississauga, and I want to point out the very good work I believe you're doing there to help newcomer youth and youth of all descriptions, especially at-risk youth. I want to give you an opportunity to tell us in a little more detail about the types of programs you operate there.
By the way, I take your point on immigration policy and how it impacts newcomer youth. I want to thank you for that.
Also, you've heard a number of panellists suggest that legalization of marijuana is the way to go. A couple of years ago, when the former Liberal government mooted decriminalization and legalization of marijuana, Peel police officers came to me, including the Chief of Peel Police, and said to me they thought that would be a really bad idea. In their considered opinion, having run a police operation in a very large, growing, and diverse community, as you point out, for many years, it was an entry-level drug for harder drugs. Not only would it lead to the use of harder drugs, the use of the marijuana itself would lead to other social problems, like increased domestic violence and petty crime, such as theft, to finance the use of the drug, and also impaired driving and motor vehicle accidents.
I wonder if you could comment on what you think the impact would be of legalization of marijuana on the young Canadians that your organization services.