Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
My amendment is really of a perspective, precautionary character. It basically seeks to recommend the following:
209. Before the coming into force of this Act, the Minister of Justice must
(a) conduct a review of the Act to ensure it is not inconsistent with the purposes and provisions of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and to recommend that any provisions that may be at risk of breaching the Charter be amended or repealed, as the case may be; and
(b) initiate discussions with the provincial and territorial governments to
(i) address the issue of prison overcrowding, and
I might add, parenthetically, Mr. Chairman, that yesterday the Commissioner of Corrections raised the issue of prison overcrowding and double-bunking as a potential constitutional concern.
(ii) ensure that the implementation of the Act is conducted in the most cost-effective and cooperative manner possible.
And the final part of this amendment, Mr. Chairman, recommends that a crime reduction board be
established...with a mandate to
(a) promote cost-effective ways to reduce crime, prevent victimization, enhance community safety and strengthen services for and rights of victims of crime;
(b) gather, analyze and disseminate information about cost-effective ways to prevent crime and improve services for victims of crime;
(c) develop national standards of practice and provide training in the area of crime prevention and of services for and rights of victims of crime; and
(d) collaborate with the provincial and territorial governments to provide funding to local governments and community organizations in the area of crime prevention and of services for and rights of victims of crime.
Mr. Chairman, this is really in accordance with the overall objectives and purposes of the act that relate to matters of crime prevention, services to victims of crime, reduction of crime, and the like, and it borrows from a recommendation of one of our witnesses, Professor Irvin Waller, that such a board be established.
And in the matter of asking the minister to revisit the legislation to see if it comports with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, as a former minister I understand that the minister did this initially. I'm just saying that in light of witness testimony, I made that recommendation.