Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
First of all, I want to thank the witnesses for being here today. I know you all have busy schedules. So we very much appreciate your being here.
It's critically important to the process.
My question is for Minister Blais.
With regard to the Youth Criminal Justice Act, Quebec's justice minister, Jean-Marc Fournier, testified before us last Tuesday. He said that the amendments proposed in Bill C-10 are based on the punishment rather than the rehabilitation of young offenders.
Our government has heard from victims groups and from Canadians who have confirmed that these amendments are necessary in order to address the problem of violent young offenders and repeat offenders. These offenders represent approximately 5% of young offenders in the judicial system and pose a genuine threat to public safety.
What is your position on this matter? Do you believe that Bill C-10 will have a negative effect on the rehabilitation and reintegration of young offenders?