Thank you, Mr. Jean, for your intervention.
As I was saying, the parole provisions of our law need to achieve that balance so potential parolees have an opportunity to have their application for parole considered properly. Whatever technical means and changes that need to happen to allow that to happen smoothly at the least expense to the taxpayer are something we support. We also support victims who want to have their opportunity to make statements at parole hearings.
We have to be clear that the abuse of this parole system is extremely limited. We have to recognize how horrendous certain individuals are who have made it a career while in prison to abuse that system and to abuse the families of victims. As monstrous as it is, it is extremely rare. We ought not to limit other people's opportunities for consideration for rehabilitation because one or two individuals happen to take it upon themselves to abuse this. As victims have said, they revictimize those whose families have already suffered the most horrendous crimes. That ought not to be the yardstick by which all other activity in relation to parole is taken.
We support this technical change, as we supported clause 96, because we believe that victims have an important role if they wish to participate in hearings for parole. We've seen examples of it across the country, including in my province of Newfoundland and Labrador.