Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you, Minister, for joining us.
I want to continue discussing the fine option programs and whether they are available and whether there are conditions within each province such that a program will not cover the surcharge. It seems that we have at least five, if not six or seven, provinces where there may be a problematic relationship in terms of availability. Let's just say that it's five. For offenders in those provinces, the special form of relief of the fine option program won't be available.
I want to know, Minister, whether you've received advice on whether this falls into the area of being a differential application of the criminal law. I wonder if it is problematic enough that we really need to be looking at the principles of fundamental justice under section 7 of the charter being in play here. The law is holding something out, but it's actually not available to everybody in the country, although we have a nationally applicable body of law. Is there any issue you guys have crunched through to say that section 7 is not a problem?