Absolutely. That's exactly what it's designed to do. It's designed as a measure in response to unlawful assemblies and riots when they occur.
Obviously the hope is that, in preventing people from being disguised in those kinds of situations, we may be able to prevent those kinds of situations from ever occurring. Obviously the first and foremost hope anyone would have is that we can find ways to prevent it. I believe this bill will be a strong way in which we can do that.
Yes, you're absolutely right. I think it protects the ability of people to peacefully assemble and protest or demonstrate and exercise their democratic rights without being afraid of having those individuals who come...and they do come prepared. I know police will tell the committee about these incidents when they appear before you. These individuals will come prepared with a full knapsack. They'll have disguises. They'll maybe have hammers, marbles to toss under the legs of police horses, and objects to throw at police. These are the people looking to cause trouble.
It protects everyone—businesses, law-abiding citizens, including those who were peacefully demonstrating—from those kinds of individuals who would come and try to cause mayhem in those situations.