I do agree that all of us in Parliament—particularly this committee, and my department as well—have an important role in responding to the Bedford decision, which has created a void in the law that creates, in my estimation, further vulnerability. Constructive positioning and taking a stance I think is important. That's what we are expected to do by our constituents, and certainly as a government. The Bedford decision has laid bare some of the important questions that we believe are answered in this legislation, but we went further. We consulted 31,000 individuals and groups through the online consultation. We heard directly from a full spectrum of advocates and stakeholders. I believe this legislation, as I said, is constitutionally sound. It is good law and good public policy that will help protect vulnerable individuals. If I didn't believe so, I wouldn't be sitting here before with a bill that I think is going to further protect people in Canada.
On July 7th, 2014. See this statement in context.